Despite the long delay for Secretary of State Jena Griswold to certify last month’s election, Congress will move forward today and swear in Greg Lopez to serve as Colorado’s GOP congressman serving the 4th District.
Lopez replaces Ken Buck who resigned in March during the middle of his term because he was fed up with Republicans and wanted to spend more time with his CNN family.
Griswold doesn’t plan to certify the June 25 election until July 22 after all the audits and meetings of the canvas board are complete.
It appears to vary state-to-state as to how long election officials have to certify elections from days to weeks to a month or longer.
Colorado Politics reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office confirmed Congress does not have to wait until a state’s official certification to seat a new member from a special election once the election is won.
The 60-year-old from Parker easily beat back a challenge by Democrat Trisha Calvarese to serve out Buck’s term until January 2025.
Lopez captured 58% of the vote to Calvarese’s 34%.
In November, Calvarese will face off against GOP nominee Lauren Boebert to determine who serve in the next session of Congress. We expect Calvarese will lose, again.
Lopez won’t get a legit chance to pass or influence any legislation during his short term, yet his office is expected to provide constituent services while he casts critical votes on pending bills.
His presence gives Republicans a little more breathing room in the slim majority they hold, increasing their numbers to 220 against Democrats’ 213.
Lopez will also have a ringside seat to historical wrangling as Democrats huddle and strategize how to boot the leader of their party — the president of the United States — from his reelection campaign.
We advise Lopez to pack plenty of popcorn and encourage him to report back regularly on all the drama.