Colorado Congressman Ken Buck Abruptly Resigns, Impact on GOP Majority in House

Republican Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado‘s 4th Congressional District has announced his unexpected early departure from office, citing frustration with the dysfunction and increasing polarization in Congress. Buck’s resignation, effective on March 22, will impact the GOP’s already slim majority in the House of Representatives.

During his nine years in Congress, Buck has been known for his association with the House Freedom Caucus and his strict fiscal conservatism. He is now planning to stay active in Colorado politics and spend more time with his family, signaling a shift in focus after his resignation.

With Buck’s departure, attention turns to the upcoming vacancy election to fill his seat. A slew of Republican candidates, including Rep. Lauren Boebert, Jerry Sonnenberg, Deborah Flora, Richard Holtorf, and Mike Lynch, are poised to vie for the position in the special election scheduled by Governor Jared Polis for June 25.

Colorado’s 4th Congressional District encompasses a vast area spanning rural eastern Colorado, Douglas County in the Denver metro region, and Loveland in Northern Colorado. The district has predominantly favored Republican representation since 1973, apart from a term served by Democrat Betsy Markey.

House leaders in Capitol Hill expressed surprise at Buck’s sudden resignation, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise noting the impact on the Republican majority. Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of unity within the GOP despite the reduced numbers in the House.

The special election to fill Buck’s seat will have implications not only for the remainder of this term but also for the upcoming general election cycle. Buck’s decision to step down adds another layer of complexity to the evolving political landscape in Colorado.