Jeff Hurd, a Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District primary, won an endorsement Thursday from GOP Rio Blanco County Commissioner Ty Gates.

Gates told Colorado Politics he believes Hurd can do a better job representing the rural county’s residents than the incumbent has.

“In my conversations with Jeff, he has shown a strong dedication to his family and the state of Colorado,” Gates said in a statement. “I believe that his conservative values will benefit the state and its constituents, particularly in terms of promoting economic development, energy solutions, and independence within the district, as well as preserving our water resources, rural lifestyle, and the well-being of future generations in western Colorado.”

Boebert is seeking a third term representing the district, which covers most of the Western Slope and Southern Colorado. After surviving the closest congressional race in the country last year, she’s facing challenges from two Republicans and two Democrats in 2024.

“I’m not very pleased with Lauren,” Gates said. “I don’t think, for our rural community – the only time we see her is when there’s a campaign or something like that. Honestly, I don’t feel like we’re getting the support and our voices are being heard, and I think Jeff can do a better job at that.”

Hurd, a Grand Junction attorney and first-time candidate, thanked Gates for his support in a statement.

“It’s great to have Ty on our team as we build our movement across this district to bring hard-working conservative leadership to Congress,” said Hurd.

A Boebert campaign spokesman told Colorado Politics on Thursday that the incumbent is delivering for her district.

“Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has the support of grassroots conservatives and 3rd District voters because they’ve seen the substantive work she’s doing for them in Congress,” Boebert campaign manager Drew Sexton said in an email.

“From the seven bills on local 3rd District issues like water and rural economic development she’s gotten passed through at least a House committee to fighting for investments for water and infrastructure projects like the Wolf Creek Reservoir in Rio Blanco County, voters know Rep. Boebert is producing results. Our campaign is continuing to focus on substantive 3rd District issues and her track record of legislative wins, which is why Coloradans will reelect her in 2024,” Sexton added. 

Gates is the fourth Republican county commissioner to endorse Hurd in recent weeks.

He joins Mesa County commissioners Cody Davis and Bobbi Daniel and Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes, who each cited Boebert’s ejection in September from a Denver performance of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” as a reason for backing her primary opponent.

Several former Republican officials have also thrown their support behind Hurd, including former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, former Mesa State University President Tim Foster; former Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and former University of Colorado President Bruce Benson.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Boebert ahead of the 2020 general election and again last cycle.

The sprawling 3rd District’s electorate leans toward Republican candidates by just over 9 points, according to an analysis by the state’s independent redistricting commission. Its voters haven’t elected a Democrat since 2008, but last year Boebert came within 546 votes of losing to Democratic nominee Adam Frisch, who is seeking a rematch in next year’s election.

Frisch is facing Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout in the Democratic primary. Republican Russ Andrews, a largely self-funding candidate from Carbondale, is also also challenging Boebert in the GOP primary. Several third-party candidates are also running in the district.