Boebert announces she’ll be a 36-year-old grandmother
Her 17-year-old son’s partner is expecting
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-colo., has announced that she will be a grandmother at 36 next month when her 17-year-old son’s partner gives birth to a son.
Boebert revealed this family news at a women’s breakfast during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland that ended last weekend, where she received a “mothers of influence” award. Boebert addressed women and men at the breakfast after accepting the award.
“I’m going to tell you all for the first time in a public setting that, not only am I a mother of four boys, but, come April, I will be a Gigi to a brand-new grandson,” she said.
Boebert’s son, when she talked with him about becoming a grandmother, pointed out that Boebert made her own mother a grandmother at 36 and he suggested it was “hereditary,” Boebert told those at the breakfast.
She then praised the values of “rural conservative communities” where teen pregnancy rates tend to be higher, she said, “because we value the preciousness of life.” Boebert has challenged abortion laws and told conference participants that she and her husband were concerned about whether her son and his partner would “choose life . ... And they did. And we are so proud of them — for making that sacrifice and being selfless in that position.”
Boebert staffers on Friday confirmed the announcement. Breaking from a meeting for an interview, Boebert verified her son and his girlfriend are not married and declined to reveal the age of the girlfriend, other than to say she’s over 14. (Colorado’s age of consent is 17, with exceptions allowing unmarried consensual sex when partners are within four years of the same age.)
Boebert said she and her husband, Jayson, plan to do all they can to support the young parents.
“It’s something Jayson and I did not have — family that could step in and help us . ... We want them to have everything possible for the baby and for themselves.”
Her son soon will graduate from high school, she said, and works at a retail tire store.
“I am just very proud of both of them for being responsible for their situation. This is a huge responsibility they are taking on. They made the right choice. Nothing was forced on them. This is a decision they made on their own,” Boebert said, adding that she doesn’t intend to change her political position opposing sex education in schools as critics have urged her to do.