Republican Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) has just made a shock announcement that he is retiring from Congress suddenly.
Buck announced on Tuesday that he we will resign from the House by the end of next week.
In a press release, Buck wrote:
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Colorado’s 4th District in Congress for the past 9 years.
“I want to thank them for their support and encouragement throughout the years.
“Today, I am announcing that I will depart Congress at the end of next week.
“I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado and with my family.”
Statement from Congressman Ken Buck on his departure from Congress. pic.twitter.com/orjSzenZnv
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) March 12, 2024
Buck has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since November 2014.
He is currently assigned to the House Judiciary Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee.
Buck was also one of three House Republicans who opposed the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The congressman announced in November that he was not running for another term.
Earlier this month, Buck said he is not “going to lie” on behalf of the Republicans when asked why he decided to not seek reelection.
Buck said on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” that while his goals for the country have not changed, the world around him “has changed dramatically.”
“We’ve gone from a time when the Tea Party stood for conservative principles, for constitutional principles, to a time where the [populists] have taken over the Republican Party and are really advocating things that I believe are very dangerous,” he told host Chris Stirewalt.
When asked why he decided to leave Congress, Buck said that numerous different factors led to his decision.
“The MAGA crowd ran a primary against me last time. I won 75-25.
“I’m not concerned about [a] primary, I’m not concerned about losing a general election.
“You know, the time is right,” he continued.
“I’m at a point in my life where I want to do different things.
“I want to enjoy my family more, I want to [do] less business travel and more recreational travel.
“There are a lot of things that went into the decision,” he said.
“But really we’re at a time in American politics, that I am not going to lie on behalf of my presidential candidate, on behalf of my party,” he added.
“And I’m very sad that others in my party have taken the position that, as long as we get the White House, it doesn’t really matter what we say.”
Buck has criticized some members of his party for supporting President Donald Trump.
Buck withheld support from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) when he was running for the Speakership last fall.
He cited Jordan’s support for Trump regarding the false Jan. 6 allegations against the 45th president.
Trump praised Buck’s decision not to seek another term, saying it was a “great thing” for the Republican Party.
However, Buck’s sudden departure will now place an even greater strain on the GOP’s majority.
The breakdown will be 431 members with 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats.
Now, the GOP will only be able to lose two votes of their own on any given issue.
This is a developing story.
Check back for more details.
READ MORE – California GOP Voters Raise Alarm over Election Fraud as Ballots ‘Switched’
