The bench is getting deep in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District where the Republican state House leader has declared his intention to seek the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ken Buck of soon-to-be CNN or MSNBC fame.
Colorado House Minority Leader Mike Lynch of Wellington announced his run on Wednesday, joining five other contenders for June 25 Republican primary.
The rancher and West Point graduate told The Colorado Sun that his military service and ranching experience sets him apart from the pack, which now includes Colorado’s congresswoman from the 3rd Congressional District representing the Western Slope, Lauren Boebert.
Boebert announced last week she will be packing her bags and moving across the state to avoid losing that seat to Democrats.
The eastern plains is a solidly conservative seat, usually — it’s current placeholder, who appears to have turned on the GOP, notwithstanding.
“I’m sick of being represented by people that are not sincere in their service,” Lynch told The Colorado Sun. “I think what’s wrong with this country is (Congress) has become a job where your first concern is yourself. I think the people of CD4 deserve to have somebody that’s fighting for them who knows how to do it.”
Also in the GOP race are Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg, who also served in the state House, State Rep. Richard Holtorf of Akron, former state Sen. Ted Harvey of Highlands Ranch, and talk radio host Deborah Flora.
Lynch told Colorado Public Radio he’s not daunted by Boebert’s “political theater,” which he expects will try to consume most of the oxygen in the room.
“I think it’s an unfortunate turn of the field, to be honest with you, because that distraction really takes away from the issues we should be focusing on,” he said. “Obviously, she’s got more money and more name recognition, but that is my job to present a better candidate than her. And I don’t look at it as much different from any other race.”
“Rural Coloradans and our state’s hardworking families deserve a fighter in Washington who comprehends the exceptionalism of Colorado & embraces our unwavering values” — Rep. Mike Lynch.#CD4 must have an experienced leader who understands our needs. https://t.co/QsWplM1myj
— Lynch For Colorado (@LynchForCO) January 3, 2024