Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert and Democrat Eileen Laubacher were both at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, although the race between them has not yet been called. Laubacher leads the race by more than 3,000 votes, which is outside the margin for an automatic recount. CNN has launched a race for Laubacher, but not the Associated Press. Laubacher nevertheless considers herself the winner.
The House is back in session as new members attend an orientation session for the 120th Congress, which begins in January. In races that are too close to call, it is common for the candidate to attend freshman orientation.
Laubacher spoke by phone with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner about the race, her plans for the coming months and her family’s long military history.
This transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Warner: Is this an embrace of you or a rejection of a very particular type of firebrand?
Laubacher: So to be honest with you, I think it’s more… I’m not sure I would describe it that way. I think it’s really more about this district and the fact that they’ve been underserved and they’re looking for someone who believes that this job is less about me and more about them, more about giving them the representation that they need and deserve.
Warner: Congresswoman Boebert fought, for example, for the Arkansas Valley Canal. Can you talk about a policy that you think was neglected during his tenure?
Laubacher: Yeah. I mean, I think there’s so many things. I would tell you, I mean, I think I’m very grateful to the people in the neighborhood who trust me. There are so many things people need. I’m very concerned, for example, about things like our rural hospitals. And I want to tell you that as excited as I am, I know that this moment has not made anything easier for the residents of the neighborhood. This hasn’t made gas prices any cheaper. This hasn’t made it any easier for people to find good daycare. This has not made our rural hospitals feel more comfortable and more stable. For me, this is just the beginning of the long work we need to do to truly improve people’s lives and make a big difference here.
Warner: Can you name a particular rural hospital that concerns you and how you plan to take action to strengthen it?
Laubacher: Of course. Well, I mean, naming one wouldn’t hurt the other 13. I visited all 14 rural hospitals in the district, and I remember visiting the first one, Melissa Memorial, in Holyoke, and the CEO, they were telling me you’re visiting a rural hospital, Eileen, you’re visiting a rural hospital, and I had to go visit all 14 to really understand the challenges. I think this has been 100% proven to me, but our hospitals face similar issues. I will tell you, I am inspired by the people who work there. I am inspired by their care for the community and how they view their lives in terms of service, just like me. I think what we need to do is help them maintain this service. They all work hard to provide the best care possible, but the challenges that they face are real and the difficulties that they have, for example, with health insurance companies and being able to get paid fairly for the services that they provide, and all of those types of challenges are real.
I think there are concrete things that can be done, and I look forward to working with them to pass meaningful legislation that will improve their situation.
Warner: Do you think part of this is undoing certain aspects of the One Big Beautiful Bill?
Laubacher: I certainly think a lot of it, yes, there are aspects of the One Big Beautiful Bill that are causing them a tremendous amount of anxiety as it becomes more and more real over the next couple of years. And also working with what has been organized for the rural health transformation agenda that needs to be refined to ensure that the funding can be something that rural hospitals can rely on and use in a way that can make a difference to deal with the challenges that they are currently experiencing.
Warner: And that those are customizable based on their communities, I think I hear you say.
Laubacher: Exactly, exactly. And that right now there are a lot of restrictions on how that money can be used, and it can’t be used for existing programs. I would tell you that rural hospitals are facing all kinds of challenges, and I want to make sure that I work with them as a partner to make sure that the law that we pass and the improvements that we make are really what they really need.
Molly Cruse/CPR News
Warner: There’s going to be a balance between legislation and then driving monitoring. I think one reading of this election is that it was about reestablishing a number of checks and balances on the president. Could you name a monitoring feature that excites you?
Laubacher: I have to be honest with you right now, I think there are a lot of things we need to do at the same time. I’m very concerned about the corruption that exists, but as I travel around the district, the challenges, the things that I think people are concerned about are things like stock trading in Congress. These are real issues, but I really want to think about how we can stop the tariffs? How to end the war in Iran? How can we make things more affordable for the farmer, for the rancher, for the small business owner, for the mother trying to decide how she’s going to pay for her kids’ groceries? I think we’re going to have to do a lot of things at once. I’ve always said we need to make sure we can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Warner: It seems to me that those on the far left wing of the party are quite unhappy with the leadership of Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries in the House. Does Mr. Jeffries have your support as speaker?
Laubacher: I’ll tell you right away, I don’t think about it. My number one priority is to make sure I’m on the committees that matter to this district.
Warner: Name one.
Laubacher: The Agriculture Committee is my first request because this is the district and the farmers, ranchers and people of Congressional District 4 deserve someone to be on the Agriculture Committee. This is my request.
Warner: Have you spoken with Congresswoman Boebert?
Laubacher: I didn’t do it. She didn’t hold out her hand.
Warner: Okay. Your father served in the Navy. Your grandfather, as your biography notes, was a frogman. I’m not sure everyone knows what a frogman is, and I wonder if you think of your grandfather today.
Laubacher: I am indeed. I wear a St. Christopher medal around my neck that belonged to him and I have worn it throughout this campaign. I feel fortunate to have had the example of service and leadership from my grandfather and father. For me, the desire to serve my country has always been the driving force of my life. And for me, running for office in this election and now becoming a member of Congress, it’s just an extension of that idea of service.
Warner: And the frogman means he was mostly underwater, right?
Laubacher: Yeah, so he used a lot of explosive munitions. I think, like many people of his generation, he didn’t talk much about his service. He suffered all his life from the injuries he received while serving, but he was always an important role model for me. And more than that, my father, who served for 37 years in the Navy, has always been my inspiration and my North Star.
Warner: Midterm elections are notoriously brutal for the president’s party. Are you likely a single-term transient in Colorado’s reddest district?
Laubacher: I certainly don’t think so. I think the reason the district chose me is because they want someone who will show up for them day in and day out. That’s why I’ve traveled over 40,000 miles throughout this district. I visited all 21 counties and met people everywhere. To me, what makes the difference between someone being successful in Congress is making sure that they are rooted in their district, that they care deeply about the needs of the people, and that they view this work with the seriousness of service. I think it’s a great trust the district has placed in me and I intend to follow through on that trust.
Warner: Well, I appreciate your time. You had merchandise that said, “Come on, Eileen. I suppose you came here, Eileen.
Laubacher: THANKS. Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Yes, it’s been an exciting journey so far, and now I’m really looking forward to getting to work.
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