Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, and Democratic candidate Trisha Calvarese, who are running for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, are scheduled to debate business and economic issues in early September.
The debate, sponsored by The Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, Colorado Politics, and the Denver Gazette, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 3. A flyer for the event posted on The Douglas County Economic Development Corporation’s website states that audience members must register to attend by August 21 and tickets will cost $35.
Colorado Politics’ reporter Ernest Luning will moderate the debate. Luning told Newsweek in an email on Saturday afternoon that the candidates will “have ample time to respond and interact” during the debate.
Newsweek has reached out to The Douglas County Economic Development Corporation for comment via email on Saturday.
The state’s congressional district is the most Republican in the state, with a 2023 Cook Partisan Voting Index giving it a R+13 rating. Only one Democrat has held the seat in the last 50 years—former Representative Betsy Markey who served only one term.
The seat was previously held by Representative Ken Buck who resigned earlier this year. However, in June, Republican Greg Lopez won the special election to fill Buck’s vacant seat. Lopez is not running for the full term.
Boebert, who currently represents Colorado’s 3rd District, is running for a new district seat and easily defeated her GOP challengers in June’s primary election. She is a staunch former President Donald Trump supporter and has been endorsed by him.
Calvarese, a former civil servant and speechwriter, won a close Democratic primary over former U.S. Marine Ike McCorkle, garnering 45.2 percent of the vote compared to McCorkle’s 41.1 percent. She unsuccessfully ran in the special election in June, receiving 34.4 percent of the vote while Lopez took 58.4 percent.
Newsweek has also reached out to Boebert and Calvarese’s press teams for comment via email on Saturday.
Drew Sexton, Boebert’s campaign manager, told Colorado Politics that the congresswoman is looking forward to the debate and “discussing her proven track record as a strong legislator for small businesses, from getting her Pueblo Jobs Act signed into law to securing millions in water and infrastructure projects for Colorado.”
Calvarese, meanwhile, told the outlet in a statement, “If folks want someone who represents our district’s values and will work hard for us, not their own personal headlines, that’s what I offer. There will be a clear contrast on the debate stage.”
Boebert is favored in the district and benefits from name recognition as she has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2021. However, Calvarese says the race is not over.
Chas Goldman, a consultant for Calvarese, told Colorado Newsline earlier this month that Calvarese’s campaign had raised more than $750,000 since June 24, with more than $380,000 cash on hand. The outlet reported that Boebert raised nearly $150,000 in June and has $530,000 on hand.
