(The Center Square) – The 3rd Congressional District of Colorado was too close to call as of 11:30 p.m. local time.
With about 76% of the vote counted, about 10,500 votes separated Republican Jeff Hurd and Democrat Adam Frisch. Hurd led Evans 50% to 47%. Two third-party candidates in the race had three percent of the vote combined.
Although Frisch trailed, he was not ready to concede late Tuesday night.
“We’ve known all along that, just like last time, this race was going to be razor-thin,” Frisch said, according to The Colorado Sun. “The race currently remains too close to call.”
It was an open-seat race because incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, ran in the 4th Colorado District this time instead.
Boebert, an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, squeaked out a 50.1% to 49.9% victory in the 8th District over Frisch in 2022, making her vulnerable to a possible defeat had she run in the district again.
Frisch served on the Aspen city council from 2011 to 2019 and ran as a moderate Democrat in this congressional race. He supports expanding oil and gas drilling and abortion rights but opposes student loan forgiveness.
Hurd has never held elected office before but was previously the U.S. Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court of Colorado. Hurd prioritized border security, tax cuts, and energy independence during his campaign.
Hurd also said that, unlike Boebert, if elected, he would steer clear of controversy.
“I try to say I want to make local headlines, not national headlines,” he told The Colorado Sun on Tuesday.
Hurd was a strong favorite to win the race; The Hill gave him an 88% chance of winning on Tuesday afternoon, calling it a Likely GOP seat.
