Jeff Hurd, a Republican lawyer from Grand Junction, has won the endorsement of GOP Rio Blanco County Commissioner Ty Gates in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District primary.

This endorsement adds to a growing list of Republican officials and former officials who have thrown their support behind Hurd.

Gates praised Hurd as a dedicated family man who will bring conservative values to Congress in order to promote economic development, energy solutions, and independence in the district. He also expressed his disappointment with Boebert, claiming that she has not been present in the rural community and has not adequately represented their interests in Congress.

"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."

In response to Gates' endorsement, a spokesperson for Boebert's campaign highlighted her legislative successes, including securing funding for water and infrastructure projects in the district. They also pointed to her strong support among grassroots conservatives and voters in the district.

"Under the communism, we lived with shortages, inefficiencies, lies from our government. The communist regime was hostile to religious families like mine, discriminating against and sometimes persecuting those who practice their faith. When communism fell, my entire world changed,” Barbora Hurd.

Hurd, for his part, thanked Gates for his support and vowed to continue building a movement to bring conservative leadership to Congress.

Gates joins three other Republican county commissioners who have endorsed Hurd in recent weeks, citing Boebert's ejection from a performance of "Beetlejuice: The Musical" in September as a reason for backing her opponent.

Former Republican officials, including former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, have also thrown their support behind Hurd.

READ MORE:

• REP. LAUREN BOEBERT RETURNS TO COLORADO, FACES TOUGH REELECTION CAMPAIGN

• DISTURBING TRUTH BEHIND REP. LAUREN BOEBERT’S EXPULSION FROM 'BEETLEJUICE'

• BOEBERT LAMPOONED IN SNL SKETCH

• FORMER GOV BILL OWENS ENDORSES LAUREN BOEBERT'S GOP PRIMARY CHALLENGER

• BOEBERT CHALLENGER ADAM FRISCH RAKES IN NEARLY $3.4 MILLION IN COLORADO CONGRESSIONAL RACE

• CHALLENGER OUTPACES INCUMBENT REP. LAUREN BOEBERT IN FUNDRAISING RACE

While former President Donald Trump endorsed Boebert in the 2020 election and again last cycle, Hurd has been gaining momentum and support from within the Republican party.

The 3rd District, which covers most of the Western Slope and Southern Colorado, leans towards Republican candidates but was nearly won by Boebert's Democratic opponent in the 2020 election. This upcoming primary is sure to be a highly contested and closely watched race.