The Associated Press projected Friday that Democrat Eileen Laubacher had narrowly defeated Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, ending the MAGA stalwart’s reelection campaign after three tumultuous terms in the House.

With 99% of the vote counted, Laubacher led Boebert by just under 0.9%. That margin placed the Democrat beyond Colorado’s automatic recount threshold of half a point.

The narrow result closed out a turbulent congressional run for Boebert, 39, who has represented Colorado in the House since 2021. Her time in Washington was marked by fervent loyalty to President Donald Trump and enthusiasm for the notoriety surrounding her.

Before entering Congress, Boebert jointly owned a gun themed bar and grill in Rifle, Colorado. The business and her embrace of conspiracy theories became central parts of the public profile she carried into national politics.

Once in the House, Boebert quickly positioned herself among Trump’s most loyal congressional allies. She was one of the Republican members who objected to certifying President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.

Boebert also joined the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus. That alliance further cemented her place within the MAGA wing of the Republican Party during her three terms in office.

Her electoral path had already taken a sharp turn before the contest against Laubacher. Boebert previously represented Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, but the prospect of a difficult primary prompted her to seek another seat.

She switched to the 4th Congressional District, which covers Colorado’s Eastern Plains. The move helped her win reelection in 2024, extending a House career that had faced growing political uncertainty.

Despite her record of loyalty to Trump, Boebert broke with him last year over the release of the Epstein files. She became one of four House Republicans to sign a discharge petition that forced a vote on releasing the material.

Administration officials tried to persuade Boebert to reverse that decision. She did not withdraw her support for the petition, creating a notable split with the president she had consistently championed.

Trump eventually backed Boebert’s reelection campaign, although his endorsement did not arrive until last month. The support came after The Cook Political Report changed its rating for the race from “solid Republican” to “lean Republican.”

Laubacher entered the contest with more than three decades of service in the Navy. Although she had never held elected office, she brought experience from roles in the Biden administration and the National Security Council.

She served as a special assistant to Biden and as senior director for South Asia at the National Security Council. Laubacher also entered the race as a former Republican who had changed her party affiliation.

Laubacher said she switched parties after the Republican Party became “nearly unrecognizable.” She then ran as a Democrat against one of the House Republicans most closely associated with Trump and the MAGA movement.

The candidates faced each other in only one debate during the campaign. Boebert defended Trump’s unpopular tariffs during that appearance, while also calling for an end to the war with Iran.

Laubacher said she supported some tariffs but rejected Trump’s approach. She argued that his tariffs were “being paid by Americans.”

The final count left Laubacher with a lead narrow enough to show how competitive the race had become, but large enough to avoid the state’s automatic recount threshold. For Boebert, the result ended a House tenure built on Trump loyalty, conservative confrontation and Washington notoriety.