Colorado Republican Won’t Seek Re-Election In 2024
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in 2024 as many conservative voters have become disillusioned with his establishment positions, while he has become frustrated with the Republican Party for becoming more conservative and turning against the establishment.
In a video statement announcing his decision on Wednesday, Buck attacked his fellow Republicans for daring to question the official narrative about the January 6 Capitol protests.
“Too many Republican leaders are lying to America claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, describing January 6 as an unguided tour of the Capitol and asserting that the ensuing prosecutions are a weaponization of our justice system,” he said. “These insidious narratives breed widespread cynicism and erode Americans’ confidence in the rule of law.”
Earlier today I announced that I won't be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
To my friends in Colorado, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve our nation. Being your representative in Washington DC has been the highest honor of my life. pic.twitter.com/FQdPVbpH46
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) November 1, 2023
The 64-year-old politician, who was first elected to Congress for Colorado in 2015 and is currently serving is fifth term, has served on several committees — including the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Currently, Buck is a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law, as well as the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Buck has faced backlash from more conservative members of Congress for his hatred for former President Donald Trump and his opposition to impeaching President Joe Biden. According to The Daily Wire, “Although he serves as a member of the pro-Trump House Freedom Caucus, Buck has opposed members of the conference who said they would support Trump if he is convicted in his federal indictments or launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.”
The Colorado congressman previously claimed in an op-ed for the Washington Post that the Biden impeachment inquiry relied “on an imagined history” and that it was a “serious matter” that “should have a foundation of rock-solid facts.”
Buck did receive some praise from conservatives recently for being one of only eight Republicans who voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). However, that praise was short-lived — as he proceeded to oppose conservative voters’ chosen candidate for the speakership, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).
In a Wednesday interview with MSNBC, Buck suggested that several other establishment Republicans planned to retire from Congress in the near future — mentioning Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), who has already announced that she would not be seeking re-election next year.
“I am joining Kay and probably some others in the near future, but I’ve decided that it is time for me to do some other things. I always have been disappointed with our inability in Congress to deal with major issues,” he said.
Buck’s term officially ends on January 3, 2025.
Conservatives celebrated Buck’s decision on social media, advocating for Colorado voters to choose America First candidate Trent Leisy to replace him.
https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1719785232704897348