Congressional candidate Donald Valdez tells Lauren Boebert to resign during Pueblo event

Donald Valdez, candidate for Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, called on Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert to resign during a press conference in Pueblo Dec. 7.

Valdez is a Democratic state legislator and rancher from La Jara. During the press conference at the Steelworks Center of the West, 215 Canal St., he said Boebert should resign following her comments about fellow Rep. Illhan Omar's Muslim faith.

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"This latest stunt is just another chapter in a long book of disqualifying actions," Valdez said. "She is not fit to serve. That's why I am here today, Congresswoman Boebert, as your opponent in this race, I am calling on you to resign. You have repeatedly shown you have no interest in governing. You have no interest in solving problems."

"As a leader and a representative of U.S. Congress, one must represent the people in the 3rd Congressional District; our farmers, our ranchers, our teachers, our doctors, our nurses, our small business owners but most importantly, the next generation who desperately need our help to continue to survive every single day."

During the press conference, campaign staff members held signs displaying Boebert's tweets. Valdez said her tweets have demonstrated she has strong opinions, yet she remains silent on "lowering prescription drug prices, creating good-paying jobs and promoting sustainable land conservation practices."

Valdez also voiced support for a recently passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that Boebert opposed, calling it a "massive win for rural Colorado." The bill passed 228-206 in November with 13 House Republicans voting in favor of it. Only six House Democrats voted against the infrastructure bill.

"Our crumbling infrastructure will continue to be fixed and worked on but more importantly it will create thousands of good-paying jobs for rural America," Valdez said. "Our water shortage and dams will be updated with increasing reliability in the face of challenging climate; helping secure water for our farmers and ranchers."

"In Pueblo, Home of the Heroes is one of three steel mills in the country that makes rail lines and tubing," Valdez said. "With the passing of this infrastructure bill, this mill will be able to manufacture for years to come with good-paying jobs for people right here in the community of Pueblo."

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Valdez is one of several Democratic candidates running for Colorado's 3rd Congressional District in 2022. Primaries are on June 28 and the general election is Nov.8.

As a legislator for the Colorado General Assembly, Valdez is chair of the Statutory Revision Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Livestock and Water, Transportation and Local Government and Capital Development committees.

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Donald Valdez tells Boebert to resign during Pueblo press conference