In a season typically reserved for scares and surprises, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado found herself at the center of a Halloween-themed prank by her local constituents. While the congresswoman attempts to make amends for her recent controversial actions, including vaping and inappropriate behavior during a performance of Beetlejuice, residents in Durango, Pueblo, and Grand Junction are erecting Beetlejuice decorations outside her offices. They are also distributing candy with wrappers that shed light on her voting record. Boebert’s apology tour and shift in political approach are seen as responses to the pressure she faces both locally and nationally.
A Halloween Twist on Political Critique
Progressive non-profit group Rocky Mountain Values announced their plans to decorate Rep. Boebert’s local offices with inflatable sandworms and other Beetlejuice-themed items, serving as a creative twist on political critique. The custom-wrapped candy they distribute carries messages such as “YIKES! Lauren Boebert Supports a Plan to GUT Social Security and Medicare” and “SPOOKY, Lauren Boebert Voted Against Lowering the Cost of Insulin 3 Times.” These decorations and candies aim to highlight Boebert’s voting record, which, according to the group, reflects a disregard for veterans’ benefits, affordable healthcare, and social security.
Boebert’s Changing Tune
Rep. Boebert’s recent behavior at the Beetlejuice performance, where she was caught vaping and involved in inappropriate conduct, has prompted her to change her usual unapologetic stance. She embarked on an apology tour, acknowledging her actions and attempting to reconnect with her constituents. This shift includes interviews with local media outlets she once criticized, support for conservative groups’ ballot harvesting efforts, and a focus on local issues over national priorities.
Political Vulnerability in Spooky Season
Boebert’s newfound approach suggests a sense of vulnerability as she prepares for her 2024 re-election campaign. Her narrow victory in the 2022 election and the prospect of facing Democratic challenger Adam Frisch again have local Republicans considering alternative candidates for the primary. Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis expressed his disappointment in Boebert’s actions at Beetlejuice, emphasizing the need for a stronger and less scandal-ridden representative in the upcoming race.
As Halloween approaches, Rep. Boebert finds herself in the spotlight, not for her political platform, but for a creative and symbolic Halloween prank that highlights the concerns of her constituents about her voting record and recent behavior.