Scott McInnis and Scott Tipton, the two Republicans who represented Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District before Lauren Boebert, have endorsed Jeff Hurd in the GOP primary for the seat.

Hurd, a Grand Junction attorney and first-time candidate, was Boebert’s leading primary challenger before the two-term Republican incumbent announced late last month that she’s switching districts to seek another term on the other side of the state, in the 4th Congressional District.

Between them, McInnis and Tipton represented the district for 22 years, from 1993 to 2005, and 2011 to 2021, respectively. In the intervening years, Democrat John Salazar held the seat, which covers most of the Western Slope and Southern Colorado, for three terms. 

After retiring from Congress, McInnis served three terms as a Mesa County commissioner. Boebert defeated Tipton in the 2020 Republican primary.

Calling Hurd an experienced leader, McInnis said on Tuesday that he and his wife, Lori, are proud to “energetically” endorse their fellow Republican.

“Jeff brings experienced knowledge of the issues of the 3rd, he is not new to the district or to the challenges we face,” McInnis said in a statement released by Hurd’s campaign. “His leadership is anchored by Integrity, by his drive for common sense solutions, by his vision for all of our futures, by his passion to stand for our side of the mountains.”

Referring to Democratic candidate Adam Frisch, who came within 600 votes of beating Boebrert in 2022 and set congressional fundraising records last year, McInnis said, “This race will not be determined by a monied candidate from Aspen; instead, it will be driven by the factor of leadership.”

He added: “Within weeks, Jeff’s entry into the race has generated excitement and momentum from the everyday folks of our district. Money didn’t buy that and money will not buy this seat. Leadership will, it is what we need and it is what we will get with Jeff.”

Tipton called Hurd the best candidate to keep the district in Republican hands in a joint endorsement with his wife, Jean.

“This district needs a serious and hardworking leader of character to fight for our agricultural producers, ensure we protect Colorado’s water, grow our energy sector, deliver on much-needed economic development projects, and honorably serve our western and southern Colorado home,” the Tiptons said in a statement. “Jeff is the only candidate to unify the district and keep the seat Republican.”

Hurd said he is grateful for the endorsements from both former congressmen.

“Scott McInnis began serving in Congress the same year I started at Grand Junction High School. To now follow in his path of service to this district means so much to me,” Hurd said in an email. “Scott set a high standard for leadership and commitment. I am guided by the example he and his wife, Lori, have set, and will work hard to serve with the same unwavering dedication to this district.”

National election forecasters at the Cook Political Report ranked the seat as a toss-up before Boebert jumped to the other district but have since revised its standing to “leans Republican.”

Following Boebert’s departure, Hurd is facing a five-way primary that’s expected to get more crowded. GOP candidate so far include former state Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Cañon City, who lives outside the district and lost a 2022 bid for the U.S. Senate; self-funder Russ Andrews, a Carbondale financial advisor; and, first-time candidates David Karpas and Jason Bias.

Republicans Clarice Navarro, Boebert’s district director and a former state lawmaker from Pueblo, and Stephen Varela, the State Board of Education member from Pueblo who used to be a Democrat, have told Colorado Politics they are considering getting in the primary.

Other prominent Colorado Republicans who have endorsed Hurd include former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, former Gov. Bill Owns, former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, former Mesa State University President Tim Foster and former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, a former state attorney general.

In recent weeks, Hurd announced endorsements from state Sen. Janice Rich and state Rep. Rick Taggert, both Grand Junction Republicans.

Frisch, a former member of the Aspen City Council, is facing a primary with Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout. A handful of unaffiliated and third-party candidates are also running in the district, including Libertarian James Wiley.

The primary is June 25.