Ken Buck says he won't run for reelection to Congress, citing wayward GOP

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a Windsor resident who represents eastern Colorado in the House of Representatives, said Wednesday that he won't run for reelection in 2024.

In a video posted to YouTube, Buck said he would not seek a sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, saying many within his Republican Party have strayed from its ideals and are no longer addressing solutions.

"Americans are rightfully concerned about our nation's future and are looking to Republicans in Washington for a course correction," Buck said in the video. "But their hope for Republicans to take decisive action may be in vain."

"Too many Republican leaders are lying to America, claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, describing January 6th as an unguided tour of the capital and asserting that the ensuing prosecutions are a weaponization of our justice system.

"These insidious narratives breed widespread cynicism and erode American confidence in the rule of law. It is impossible for the Republican Party to confront our problems and offer a course correction for the future while being obsessively fixed on retribution and vengeance for contrived injustices of the past.

"This trend among Republicans is a significant departure of the enduring principles of conservatism. We belong to the party of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. Our movement has always been fueled by immutable truths about human nature, individual liberty and economic freedom.

"I made a decision to leave Congress because tough votes are being replaced by social media status. It's time to stop feeding popular narratives and start addressing the long-term solutions."

Buck had tough words for the political left, as well. He said he and others "have fought against the left's polices that have had real-world consequences: defunding the police, politicizing student loans, provoking inflation with excessive spending, creating open borders, decimating our domestic energy production."

Buck was first elected in 2014 and has served five terms in Colorado's 4th Congressional District. He was the Weld County district attorney prior to that, dating back to 2004.

Buck is a steadfast conservative who has been outspoken against Democrats' policies. Even though he voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last month, Buck supported McCarthy's bid back in 2021.

After voting against McCarthy last month and refusing to back Rep. Jim Jordan to become speaker of the House, Buck said he had received death threats and faced eviction from his Windsor office due to his vote.

In voting to oust McCarthy as speaker, Buck cited House dysfunction, including around spending.

“We are $33 trillion in debt and on track to hit $50 trillion by 2030,” he tweeted after the vote. “We cannot continue to fund the government by continuing resolutions and omnibus spending bills. That’s why I voted to oust @SpeakerMcCarthy. We must change course to sensible budgeting and save our country.”

Buck also said McCarthy’s launch of an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden was reliant upon on flimsy evidence.

In 2021, Buck was among the minority of House Republicans to vote to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. He also supported then-Rep. Liz Cheney when she was ousted as GOP House Conference Chair in 2021. He was the only Republican to remain in the chamber as she made her remarks.

Who is running in Colorado's 4th Congressional District?

At least two candidates had filed to run against Buck prior to the Wednesday announcement: Trent Leisy and Justin Schreiber.

Windsor resident Leisy describes himself as an America First candidate. He unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Weld RE-4 school board serving Windsor and Severance schools in 2021.

In a news release announcing his candidacy, he noted his protests outside of Buck's offices in support of electing Jordan as House speaker. He said he wants to lower taxes, fight for parental rights, and secure the southern border.

On Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, Schreiber said three key messages of his campaign are: "Freedom isn't Free," "Tyrants must go!" and "Dismantle the FBI, ATF, and IRS."

The Democratic Party candidates for Colorado's 4th Congressional District are Karen Breslin, Isaac McCorkle and John Padora.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado's US Rep Ken Buck says he won't run for reelection to Congress