At a casino bingo hall in southwestern Colorado, Lauren Boebert, the Republican congresswoman, was seen bouncing her 6-month-old grandson on her knee. She remarked, “The election’s still a ways away,” as guests for the Montezuma County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day dinner started arriving. Boebert noticed that there seemed to be a lot of mercy and grace among the people she interacted with at events like this.

A month prior, Boebert, who was in the midst of finalizing a divorce, made headlines when a security camera captured her vaping and groping her date, leading to her being ejected from a performance of the musical “Beetlejuice” in Denver. The incident contradicted her initial claims, and the venue’s statement that she demanded preferential treatment only fueled the outrage.

This incident has had a lasting impact on Boebert, who has become a prominent figure in the Republican Party’s right wing during the Biden era. Several local Republican officials have since endorsed Jeff Hurd, a more conventional Republican challenging Boebert for the nomination this year. Notable endorsers of Hurd include former Gov. Bill Owens, former Senator Hank Brown, and Pete Coors, the brewery scion and former Trump fundraiser.

While some Republicans are concerned about the perceived excesses of the MAGA wing of the party, others are specifically worried about the string of losses the party has experienced in Colorado. Some former supporters of Boebert believe that she has been changed by her political celebrity and were particularly upset by her behavior at the theater in Denver.

Public polling for the primary race has not yet been released, so it remains uncertain whether Boebert has lost favor among the party’s voters. However, during interviews throughout the district, there were still many supporters who stood by her and appreciated her assertiveness and fresh ideas.

On the other hand, Hurd’s endorsements suggest that some party stalwarts fear that if Boebert remains the face of the party’s right wing, she may be a weakened candidate. Boebert barely won re-election in 2022, establishing herself as one of the most vulnerable politicians liked by the party’s base. Democrats see defeating her this year as a highly desirable achievement.

Adam Frisch, a Democrat who ran against Boebert in 2022, is hoping to challenge her again next year. However, he first faces a primary contest against Anna Stout, the mayor of Grand Junction. Frisch has already raised a substantial amount of money for his campaign and presents a significant threat to Boebert.

Colorado Republicans view the primary contest for Boebert’s seat as a battle between the old guard of the party and the right-wing grassroots activists who have gained influence. The denial of the 2020 election results has become a major dividing line within the party. Additionally, concerns exist that Boebert’s controversial image and potential vulnerability could lead to another loss for the party.

In contrast, Hurd presents himself as a reprieve from the chaos and controversy associated with Boebert. He emphasizes the importance of the rule of law and peaceful transfer of power after losing an election. Hurd’s campaign is focused on portraying himself as a steady and reliable alternative to Boebert.

It remains to be seen how the primary race will unfold and whether Boebert can maintain her base of support. Both Boebert and Hurd have their own strengths and weaknesses, and only time will tell who will come out on top.