Former Navy Admiral Who Fled GOP Projected to Flip Republican House Seat in Colorado

Key Points:

• Eileen Laubacher, a retired Democratic Navy admiral who switched from the GOP and criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is projected to flip Colorado's 4th Congressional District, narrowly leading incumbent Republican Lauren Boebert.
• Laubacher, who served 34 years in the Navy and worked on the National Security Council, registered as a Democrat in 2025, citing the GOP as "nearly unrecognizable," and out-raised Boebert significantly in campaign funding.
• Boebert's campaign is contesting the results, citing "unusual voting patterns" and anticipating a recount, while Laubacher has expressed pride in her campaign's progress.
• Another retired Navy admiral, Nancy Lacore, is also projected to win a congressional seat in South Carolina, reflecting a broader trend of veterans running and winning in this election cycle.
• The 2026 midterms resulted in a historic "blue wave," with Democrats gaining control of both the House and Senate, flipping key battleground and traditionally Republican states.