Colorado Republican Lamborn won’t seek reelection

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) announced Friday morning he will not run for reelection, leaving all three of the state’s Republican-held congressional seats up for grabs in the upcoming November election. 

Lamborn’s district has been a solidly Republican district and was not seen as competitive before his decision. Lamborn won his 2022 reelection bid with 57 percent of the vote.

Colorado itself is likely to be a battleground for the House, with Democrats seeking to pick up the 3rd District seat now held by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R). She has decided to leave that district to run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ken Buck (R), who is retiring.

The 8th Congressional District in the state, held by Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D), is also seen as competitive and rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. The 3rd District vacated by Boebert is rated lean Republican by Cook.

Lamborn, who is serving his ninth term, announced his decision during his appearance on Richard Randall’s radio show. 

“I’m not getting any younger,” Lamborn said. “I want to spend time with my children, grandchildren, with my wife. I want to look for opportunities to do good.”

First arriving to the House in 2007, Lamborn, an attorney, was the longest-serving Republican in his state’s delegation.