Representative Ken Buck (R-CO), a Republican, abruptly announced his retirement from Congress.
On Tuesday, Buck declared that he would step down from the House at the end of the next week.
Buck wrote in a press release:
“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
Since November 2014, Buck has been a member of the US House of Representatives.
He presently serves on the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees of the House.
Additionally, Buck was one of three House Republicans who stopped Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, from being impeached.
The congressman declared in November that he would not be seeking reelection.
When questioned earlier this month about why he chose not to run for reelection, Buck stated he is not “going to lie” on behalf of the Republicans.
While Buck’s aspirations for the nation remain same, he acknowledged on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” that “the world has changed dramatically” around him.
“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.
In response to a question about his reasoning for quitting Congress, Buck stated that a variety of circumstances had a role.
“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 taken issue with some of his party’s members for endorsing Donald Trump.
When Buck was vying for speaker of the House last autumn, he withdrew his support from Jim Jordan (R-OH), the chairman of the judiciary committee.
He referenced Jordan’s endorsement of Trump in relation to the unfounded accusations made against the 45th president on January 6.
Buck’s decision to forego a second term was applauded by Trump, who called it a “great thing” for the Republican Party.
But the GOP majority will now be under much more pressure due to Buck’s abrupt exit.
There will be 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats among the 431 members.
The GOP can now only lose two of its own votes on any given topic.
