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U.S. Representative Ken Buck Will Not Seek Sixth Term

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Andrew R. Michaud

• November 01, 2023

DENVER (AP) — In a surprising announcement, U.S. Representative Ken Buck, a conservative Republican representing Colorado's rural eastern plains, revealed that he will not be seeking re-election for a sixth term in Congress. Buck cited a growing number of Republicans who refuse to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election and condemn the attack on the Capitol that took place on January 6, 2021, as the reason for his decision.

In a heartfelt video message shared online, Buck expressed concern that his party's "insidious narratives breed widespread cynicism and erode Americans' confidence in the rule of law." With disappointment, he mentioned that too many Republican leaders are falsely claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, downplaying the severity of the Jan. 6 events, and accusing the subsequent prosecutions as a weaponization of justice.

At 64 years old, Buck, a former prosecutor, has been serving in Congress since 2015. Earlier this month, he was one of the eight Republicans who joined forces with Democrats to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. However, despite their differences, Buck endorsed Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana for speaker, despite Johnson's involvement in the legal challenge to overturn the 2020 election results.

Looking Ahead: Potential Government Shutdown

As the news of Mike Johnson assuming the position of House speaker unfolds, political analysts are assessing the risk of a government shutdown. They estimate that there is a 20% to 30% chance of such an event occurring.

Biden's Confidence in House Speaker Johnson

President Biden has expressed his lack of concern regarding House Speaker Johnson attempting to disregard the election results. The president remains optimistic that the democratic process will prevail.

Buck: A Fiscal Conservative Who Stands His Ground

Buck has made a name for himself as a wildcard in the realm of fiscal conservatism, never hesitating to challenge party leaders when necessary.

Challenging McCarthy's Impeachment Inquiry

One such instance occurred when Buck spoke out against McCarthy's decision to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. In his opinion, House Republicans were basing their actions on flimsy evidence. Additionally, Buck expressed concerns about the process for approving spending and criticized the reliance on stopgap spending bills.

Departure from Congress

Buck recently announced his decision not to seek re-election. This announcement coincided with U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, chairwoman of the influential House Appropriations Committee, also deciding not to run again after her almost thirty-year tenure in Congress.

During an interview with Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC, Buck hinted that these announcements might not be the last. He expressed hope that the Republican Party, which he emphasized he remains devoted to even after leaving Congress, would steer more towards his ideologies than those who propagate baseless claims about election fraud and refer to the events of January 6th as mere "political prisoners."

Paving the Way for the Next Generation

As the nation's longest-serving GOP congresswoman at 80 years old, Granger believes that it is time for the next generation to step up and take the reins. She advocates for strong and dedicated representation that truly serves the people.

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