Six candidates are running in the Republican primary election for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District on June 4, 2024: U.S. Rep Lauren Boebert (R), Deborah Flora (R), Richard Holtorf (R), Michael Lynch (R), Jerry Sonnenberg (R), and Peter Yu (R). Incumbent U.S. Rep Ken Buck (R) resigned on March 22, leaving the district open.
Colorado Public News Public Affairs Reporter Caitlyn Kim said, “The announcement that GOP Rep. Ken Buck would not seek another term in office has set off a heated primary to fill a rare vacancy in the reddest district in Colorado. In late December 2023, the race gained even more prominence when Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, said she would abandon plans to run for reelection there and instead seek the seat in the 4th.”
A Republican vacancy committee selected Greg Lopez over Sonnenberg as the party’s nominee in the June 25 special election to complete the remainder of Buck’s term. Lopez said he would not run for re-election in November if he wins the June 25 special election, which will occur on the same day as Colorado’s primaries. This means that the solid Republican district would be open in November if Lopez wins the special election.
As of March 31, 2024, Boebert raised $3.4 million, followed by Flora ($356,045), Sonnenberg ($312,484), and Yu ($285,212). Boebert had $979,799 cash on hand, followed by Yu ($275,658), Sonnenberg ($224,402) and Flora ($167, 109).
Boebert represents Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. Boebert says she supports America First policies, a term often associated with the platform of former President Donald Trump (R) and candidates who say they support Trump’s agenda. On her campaign website, Boebert says she supported the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden (D). Boebert says she supports bills focusing on increasing energy production, and opposes the Bureau of Land Management. Trump and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R) endorsed Boebert.
Deborah Flora says her experience as a small business owner makes her uniquely qualified compared to career politicians. Flora says she supports reducing government spending, requiring Congress to balance the federal budget, limiting illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, and policies that reduce energy costs.
Richard Holtorf is a member of the Colorado House of Representatives. Holtorf says his experience as a military veteran uniquely qualifies him for Congress. Holtorf says he would focus on reducing inflation that he believes President Biden’s policies created.
Michael Lynch is a member of the Colorado House of Representatives and was the minority leader from 2022-2024. On his campaign website, Lynch says he supports measures that would reduce the role of government in people’s lives, lower taxes, limit illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border, and protect gun ownership.
Jerry Sonnenberg was a member of the Colorado Senate from 2015-2023 and served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2007-2015. Sonnenberg says he supports reducing inflation that he believes Biden’s policies created, limiting illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, increasing energy production from oil and natural gas, and reducing environmental regulations for ranchers and farmers.
Peter Yu says his professional experience as a business executive and his desire to unite constituents qualifies him for the congressional office. Yu says he supports reducing illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, reducing government spending, increasing domestic energy production independence, and lowering the national debt.