Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, 37, has emergency surgery for blood clot her spokesperson says could have been caused by too much sitting

GOP Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is recovering after emergency surgery to remove a blood clot in her leg, as she faces a tough re-election campaign in a new district.

Boebert, 37, is attempting to win a seat in the state's Fourth Congressional District in 2024 after previously winning two terms in the third.

Those efforts will go on hold temporarily after she was admitted to a Colorado hospital Monday, complaining of severe swelling in the upper part of her left leg, according to her campaign. 

She was diagnosed with May-Thurner Syndrome, a rare vascular condition that affects a vein in the pelvis and can cause deep vein thrombosis. Her spokesman suggested it could be caused by sitting down too much.

Boebert had surgery Monday to remove the clot, with a stent inserted Tuesday morning.

Dr. Rebecca Bade, who worked on Boebert's case at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, said that people who get the procedure the Congresswoman received 'are able to live and work just as they have in the past after a brief recovery.' 

Her campaign says Boebert is in 'good spirits' and excited to be 'getting back to Congress to continue fighting for Colorado.'

'After taking time to rest as recommended by doctors, she is expected to make a full recovery with no significant concerns for her long-term health and no hindrance to her ability to perform her duties as a Congresswoman,' the campaign added.

May-Thurner syndrome is most common in adults between 20 to 50 years old, including women who have been pregnant. Boebert has four sons with ex-husband Jayson Boebert.

'An exact cause is unknown, but dehydration, travel, and extended periods of sitting have all been identified as potential factors in causing symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome,' her campaign claimed. 

She received well wishes from former New York Congressman and ally George Santos on X. 

'Lauren underwent a surgery and has come out on the other end of it and is doing well,' he wrote about his 'dear friend.' 

'I want to thank all the medical staff that looked after my friend and the Doctors who took this enormous responsibility. It's everyday hero's [sic] like these that we need to be thanking everyday.' 

She surprised Colorado Republicans last Christmas when she announced her decision to leave the 3rd District and run for office to replace the retiring Rep. Ken Buck in the 4th District. 

Boebert, the controversial MAGA Republican now endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has embraced the ‘carpetbagger’ label, traveling around the district to convince voters she is ready to fight for them, despite the drama surrounding her personal life and her messy divorce from her ex-husband. 

She has been fighting against perception of liberals and even some moderate Republicans of her reckless nature, with a series of scandals dotting her time in office, most infamously when she was asked to leave a performance of Beetlejuice over sexually groping her date.

Boebert faces at least 11 other Republican candidates in the June 25 primary. 

However, her popularity with the MAGA base may still save her as she faces a crowded primary and the local GOP gave her a boost last week. 

A Colorado Republican panel made a surprising decision Thursday night, choosing a former mayor, Greg Lopez, to be U.S. Rep. Ken Buck's likely replacement until the November general election.

While Lopez is likely to win in the dark red district, he will be a placeholder and plans to step down after the general election winner is sworn into office in January. 

Two of Boebert's primary opponents who came in second and third, the special election candidacy would have been a boon and allowed them incumbency leading up to the general election in November.