Rep. Ken Buck won't run for reelection, criticizing GOP's election denialism
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection next year, putting a bookend on his congressional tenure that, in recent times, was defined by his criticism of the belief among some Republicans that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
Buck’s announcement is a reversal from his previous plans — in September, he confirmed to The Hill that he was planning on running for reelection.
“I have decided, Andrea, I’m not gonna seek re-election,” Buck said on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” adding “I’ve decided that it is time for me to do some other things.”
Buck is the second GOP lawmaker to announce their retirement from the House on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), the chair of the Appropriations Committee.
The Colorado Republican referenced the election denialism that has percolated through his party.
“I always have been disappointed with our inability in Congress to deal with major issues and I’m also disappointed that the Republican Party continues to, you know, rely on this lie that the 2020 election was stolen and rely on the Jan. 6 narrative and the political prisoners from Jan. 6 and other things,” Buck said on MSNBC. “If we’re gonna solve difficult problems we’ve got to deal with some very unpleasant truths, or lies, and make sure that we reject to the public what the truth is.”
The decision by Buck, who was first elected to Congress in 2014 and represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, also came against the backdrop of criticism against members of his party over moves toward a House impeachment inquiry into the Biden family, particularly in September when Republicans struggled to break an impasse over funding the government.
Colorado state Rep. Richard Holtorf (R) told The Hill in mid-September that he has formed an exploratory committee regarding his “political future,” offering a potential primary challenge to Buck.
Buck’s district went for former President Trump by close to 19 points in 2020, meaning whoever wins the Republican primary next year is the heavy favorite to win Buck’s seat.