Lauren Boebert Says Life Outside Congress Could Feel ‘Liberating’ as Vote Count Continues

Lauren Boebert is not ready to concede her election, even as CNN has called the race against her. In an interview, the Colorado Republican pointed to ballots that have yet to be counted and said the result could still change. Boebert said thousands of rejected ballots were being reviewed and expected to be counted Friday. She also noted that military and overseas ballots were still arriving. “If it changes the outcome, it changes the outcome, and if not, we’ll accept the decision,” she said, while stressing that the count was not finished. Asked how she felt about the possibility of no longer serving in Congress, Boebert suggested that the change might bring some relief. She described life beyond Washington as “almost liberating,” but made clear she was not treating the election as settled. She also said she wanted to help ensure members of her staff were taken care of and placed in good positions if possible. Boebert reflected that campaigning and traveling had been part of her life for seven years, though she joked that a recent Frontier Airlines flight back to Washington had been exhausting. She added that the job does not define her and said she intends to stay aggressive and pursue big projects regardless of the election result. When asked what she might do if she leaves Congress, Boebert joked that she would arm-wrestle Rep. Haley Stevens for the interviewer’s job. For now, she is waiting on the remaining ballots before accepting any final outcome.