Serving the 4th District for nearly 10 years was the highest honor of Ken Buck’s life, the soon-to-be former Republican Congressman said before kicking the party he was also elected to serve squarely in the nuts on his way out the door.
Buck’s decision to end his congressional career after this term came as a surprise to few Republicans, who’ve been getting mighty miffed over his newfound role as a political commentator on MSNBC and CNN where he’s been more than happy to trash his own party.
His final goodbye seems to cement his creds as a future “Republican” commentator on those same networks, where we expect him to continue criticizing the party’s unsteady equilibrium that he helped to create as a member of the Freedom Caucus.
Earlier today I announced that I won’t be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
To my friends in Colorado, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve our nation. Being your representative in Washington DC has been the highest honor of my life. pic.twitter.com/FQdPVbpH46
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) November 1, 2023
Adding insult to injury, Buck gave his departure scoop to MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, which drew criticism from former state GOP chairman and fellow Republican Party grumbler Dick Wadhams.
“I think it is offensive that Ken Buck would announce that he’s not running for reelection during an interview on a national cable TV show rather than returning to his district and thanking the people of the 4th CD for the honor and privilege of serving in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Wadhams told Colorado Politics.
So anyway, out with the old, in with the new!
The Denver establishment media is burning up the phones calling every Republican who may or may not live in the district to see who will step up to the plate to run for the seat.
Already in the race for the GOP nomination are Weld County Council member Trent Leisy and first-time candidate Justin Schrieber. Colorado Polities reports Democrats Isaac McCorkle, John Padora and Karen Breslin are also running in that party’s primary.
Here’s the scorecard as of, right now.
The party’s at Gino’s house, I’ve heard. #copolitics https://t.co/Fg7rRNFZm7
— MissingPundit (@MissingPundit) November 1, 2023
Marshall Zelinger over at 9News wins Most Aggressive Caller award for burning up the phones to learn which Republicans’ lives he will soon be trashing.
This is what they’re telling him:
Not running, please go away
Former state GOP Chair Kristi Burton Brown
State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer
Former state lawmaker Greg Brophy
Douglas County Commissioner George Teal
Maybe
Former District Attorney George Brauchler
State Rep. Richard Holtorf
Former U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Flora
Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg
Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas
Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon
Not taking Zelinger’s calls but being talked about
Former University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl
House Minority Leader Mike Lynch
The district leans heavy Republican with 35% compared to 17% Democrats, so stay tuned!