GOP Congressman To Resign
Colorado Republican Congressman Ken Buck has announced that he will be resigning from the House of Representatives by the end of next week.
Buck, who has served in Congress since November 2014, stated that it has been an honor to represent the people of Colorado's 4th District and that he is looking forward to staying involved in politics. His resignation comes as a surprise to many, as he had previously announced that he was not running for another term.
In a statement released Tuesday morning, Buck thanked the people of Colorado for their support and encouragement during his time in office. He also expressed his excitement for staying involved in the political process and spending more time with his family. Colorado Governor Jared Polis also released a statement, thanking Buck for his years of service to the state and wishing him all the best in his next chapter.
Buck's resignation will leave the House of Representatives with a majority of 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, with 431 total members. This small majority will make it crucial for the GOP to maintain unity in their voting, as they can only afford to lose two votes on any given issue. This will become even more crucial if the upcoming special election for the seat of former Representative Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., stays in the hands of the Democrats. In that case, the GOP's majority will be reduced to just one seat.
The unexpected resignation of Representative Buck comes just two weeks after he introduced a controversial resolution, calling for the removal of President Biden through the 25th Amendment. This resolution was based on concerns about the President's mental and physical health. Buck was also one of three House Republicans who voted against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Representative Buck's departure from Congress will also have financial implications for the state of Colorado. In order to fill the vacancy, Governor Polis will have to call for a special election, which he plans to align with the state's primary on June 25th. The cost of this special election will fall on taxpayers, and the timing may also affect the state's primary and election processes.
Buck's resignation is the latest in a series of changes in the House of Representatives. Just last month, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., resigned from his position, leading to a special election set for May 21. If the seat remains in Republican hands, it will bring the majority back to 218 votes in their favor, but a Democratic win will leave the divided House with only a one-seat majority.
As the nation continues to face political conflicts and divisions, the sudden resignation of Representative Ken Buck adds to the already tumultuous atmosphere in Congress. The announcement of his resignation has sparked speculation about his reasons for leaving and the potential impact on future elections for his seat.
In the coming days, the people of Colorado's 4th District will be watching closely to see who will step up to fill the position, and how it will affect the dynamics of the House of Representatives.