The 4th Congressional District is a large and diverse part of Colorado, stretching from Douglas County across the northern Front Range and east through the state’s agricultural communities. It includes portions of Douglas, Weld, Larimer and Adams counties and is home to families, farmers and ranchers, veterans, workers and growing suburban communities—each with its own priorities and concerns.

 

Choosing who should represent such a district in Congress deserves careful consideration.

 

At The Weekly Issue/El Semanario, we look beyond party labels. We consider a candidate’s experience, record, priorities and approach to public service, as well as how those positions may affect the communities we serve.

 

After that review, The Weekly Issue/El Semanario endorses Eileen Laubacher for Congress.

 

Laubacher brings 34 years of military service and a long record of public service to the race. She retired from the U.S. Navy as a rear admiral, with a career that included service in Afghanistan, as defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, and at the National Security Council.

 

That experience has shaped her approach to leadership. It has also given her experience working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives—an important quality for anyone serving in Congress.

 

For families across Colorado, the cost of living remains a serious concern. Laubacher has identified tariffs and other factors as contributing to higher costs and has made affordability a central priority. She has also focused on healthcare, housing and the everyday expenses that continue to put pressure on families.

 

Healthcare is particularly important in a district that includes many rural communities. Laubacher has focused on the challenges facing rural hospitals, including fair reimbursement, greater negotiating power with insurance companies and more flexibility in federal grant programs. She has also supported continuing the 340B Drug Pricing Program and recognizing emergency medical services as essential infrastructure.

 

Her focus on rural healthcare comes in part from spending time in communities throughout the district. Laubacher has visited all 14 rural hospitals in the district and has said those conversations helped her better understand the challenges facing rural healthcare.

 

That kind of first-hand engagement matters. A member of Congress should understand the communities they represent—not simply through statistics and reports, but by listening to the people who live and work there.

 

Immigration is another issue that matters deeply to Latino families and to communities throughout the 4th District.

 

Laubacher has stated that securing the border and removing dangerous criminals who are in the country illegally are necessary. At the same time, she has said immigration enforcement should not become indiscriminate or inhumane. She supports comprehensive immigration reform, a secure border and a clear pathway to citizenship for immigrants who qualify.

 

She has also told Colorado Public Radio that immigration enforcement “needs to be humane and legal.”

 

For The Weekly Issue/El Semanario, that distinction matters.

 

Enforcing immigration law is a legitimate responsibility of the federal government. At the same time, enforcement should respect due process, the law and human dignity. Immigration policy affects parents and children, workplaces and schools, neighborhoods and communities. These are real people and real families, not simply political talking points.

 

Laubacher’s position recognizes the need for border security and enforcement while also acknowledging that the country’s immigration system needs broader reform.

 

We also considered how a candidate approaches the work of governing.

 

Laubacher has emphasized the importance of working across party lines and finding common ground. She has connected that approach to her 34 years in the military, where accomplishing the mission often meant working with people who brought different experiences and perspectives to the table.

 

She has proposed measures aimed at strengthening accountability in government, including restrictions on members of Congress trading individual stocks, campaign finance reform and other changes intended to restore public confidence.

 

The district also includes some of Colorado’s most important agricultural and water interests. Laubacher has traveled throughout the district and met with farmers, ranchers, water providers and local leaders. She has called for long-term planning to protect Colorado’s water supply, agricultural production and rural communities.

 

No candidate will agree with every voter on every issue. That is not the standard we apply.

 

Our responsibility is to look at the whole candidate: the experience they bring, the issues they prioritize, how they approach disagreement and whether they demonstrate an understanding of the communities they seek to represent.

 

For us, Laubacher’s record of public service, her attention to affordability and healthcare, her engagement with rural Colorado, and her stated approach to immigration and government accountability provide the basis for our endorsement.

 

To learn more about Elieen Laubacher, visit her campaign website at eileenforcolorado.com.