Progressive veterans organization VoteVets backed two House candidates challenging Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Jeff Crank (R-Colo.) on Thursday.
The group, which aims to elect Democratic veterans to public office, endorsed Eileen Laubacher, who is challenging Boebert in the state’s 4th Congressional District, and Jessica Killin in the 5th Congressional District. Both districts have large military veteran populations.
“Jessica and Eileen have committed their careers to service, and their campaigns offer the type of authentic, selfless, problem solving determination voters are hungry for,” said the group’s senior adviser, former Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.).
“Jessica and Eileen represent the future of leadership and embody the type of winning formula VoteVets has seen successful time and again. They are prepared to put service over self and have already proven they can take on the toughest of battles. We are proud to be by their side as they help bring fresh perspectives and true leadership to DC,” he continued.
The group has rolled out a number of high profile endorsements ahead of November’s off-year elections and next year’s midterms. On Wednesday, the group endorsed Marine veteran Ryan Crosswell, who is one of three Democrats seeking to challenge Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Earlier this year, the group announced it was contributing $500,000 to the Virginia gubernatorial campaign of former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.).
Both candidates will face uphill climbs in the Republican-leaning districts. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Crank’s district as R+9 and Boebert’s district as R+5.
Laudbacher is one of four Democrats seeking to challenge Boebert. The Democratic candidate is a retired rear admiral in the Navy and a former top National Security Council staffer. Her campaign announced earlier this month it raised $1.9 million in the first quarter of the race.
Killin, who launched her bid for Crank’s seat earlier this month, is also running in a crowded Democratic primary. Four other Democrats are seeking to challenge Crank.
“The demographics of the district are trending and changing,” Killin said in an interview with The Hill. “People are tired of both sides of the aisle, honestly, putting politics over people and they want someone who’s going to represent them, and I believe that my brand of leadership which is pragmatic but also focused on putting people over party, is going to be refreshing.”
She most recently served as chief of staff to former second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Prior to that she served as chief of staff for Rep. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D-Wash), along with then-Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Donna Shalala (D-Fla.).
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