Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout ended her congressional campaign on Wednesday, leaving Democrat Adam Frisch unopposed in his party’s primary for the seat that Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is vacating.

Stout said her decision was prompted by Boebert’s move to another district across the state.

“When I entered this race, my objective was to continue my service to the hardworking people of western and southern Colorado and give them a serious homegrown candidate to represent them, rather than the continuous embarrassment we have experienced for the past three years,” Stout said in an email.

“Boebert’s decision to run in a different congressional district altered the landscape of this race. I got in this to remove Boebert from office, and while this wasn’t the way I expected to do that, she is no longer the 3rd Congressional District’s problem.”

Boebert said in late December that she will seek a third term in Congress from the solidly Republican 4th Congressional District, which covers Colorado’s Eastern Plains, citing the uncertain prospects of winning reelection in the 3rd CD.

She faces a crowded primary in her new district, which has been represented for five terms by Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, who announced his retirement last fall.

After coming within fewer than 600 votes of defeating Boebert in 2022 — in the country’s closest congressional race for the cycle — Frisch out-raised the Republican and set state fundraising records last year in his bid for a rematch.

In a statement, Frisch lauded Stout’s “dedication and service to the people of Grand Junction.”

“She has demonstrated a remarkable ability to bring people together to accomplish important goals for her community. The Mayor’s focus on key issues, such as building new housing and expanding childcare opportunities, reflects her deep concern for the well-being of her constituents,” he said. 

Election forecasters characterized the Western Slope-based 3rd CD as a toss-up before Boebert switched districts but changed it to “lean Republican” after the the controversial incumbent announced her move.

A poll released by Frisch’s campaign in August found Boebert and Frisch locked in a statistical tie among likely voters, with Frisch running 2 points ahead of the incumbent, within the survey’s margin of error.

Six Republicans are seeking the nomination in the district, including Grand Junction attorney Jeff Hurd and Carbondale financial advisor Russ Andrews, who had mounted primary challenges against Boebert before she switched districts.

Other GOP primary candidates include former state Rep. Ron Hanks, who made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate in 2022, and State Board of Education member Stephen Varela.

Stout, who launched her campaign last summer, thanked supporters on Wednesday.

“The dedication and passion of grassroots supporters fueled this campaign, and I am truly honored to have had the chance to connect with so many incredible individuals who share a vision for a better future for our communities and our country,” she wrote.

Added Stout: “I encourage all residents to stay engaged in the political process, hold elected officials accountable, and continue to strive for the betterment of our communities.”

Stout didn’t endorse Frisch in an email announcing her withdrawal but told Colorado Politics not to read too much into that, adding that it had been “a long process” to come to her decision.

Stout was reelected last year to a second term on the nonpartisan Grand Junction City Council, whose members chose her to serve as mayor.

Stout is the CEO of the Roice-Hurst Humane Society, and she founded and serves as president of the nonprofit Foundation for Cultural Exchange, which facilitates the relationship between Grand Junction and its sister city, El Espino, in El Salvador. She’s also a certified court interpreter and Spanish translator.