(The Center Square) – The 3rd Congressional District of Colorado will stay in Republican hands.
Democrat Adam Frisch conceded in the race around 4:00 p.m. local time. With 88% of the vote counted, Republican Jeff Hurd led Frisch 50.1% to 46.7% percent, with two third-party voters receiving a combined 3.2%.
“A few moments ago, I called to offer my congratulations to Jeff Hurd for being the next Representative for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District,” Frisch said in a statement, according to Colorado Public Radio. “Elections are about showing up, and I traveled more than 75,000 miles this campaign authentically connecting with people from Dinosaur to Durango, Manzanola to Mancos, and everywhere in between. This campaign was about them, and I am humbled by the immense outpouring of support I received all across CD3.”
The 3rd Congressional District was an open-seat race, as incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, instead ran in the 4th Colorado District.
Frisch performed better in 2022 against Boebert; she only beat him by 0.2 points, 50.1% to 49.9%, two years ago. It made her vulnerable to a potential loss if she ran in the district again.
Frisch was an Aspen city councilor from 2011 to 2019. He ran as a moderate Democrat in this congressional race, supporting oil and gas drilling and abortion rights while opposing student loan debt forgiveness.
While Hurd will assume office in January, he has never held elected office. Previously, he was the U.S. Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court of Colorado.
During the race, Hurd prioritized border security, tax cuts, and energy independence.
Hurd also said he would avoid controversy if elected, something Boebert has faced over the last several years.
“A reporter once said that I’m as exciting as a bread sandwich,” Hurd told The Colorado Sun. “That’s OK. Rural Colorado doesn’t need excitement.”
Hurd was a strong favorite to win the election going into Tuesday. He had an 88% chance of winning it on Tuesday afternoon, according to The Hill.
