'Give us the majority for the rest of the year': Lawmakers respond to Ken Buck’s 'alarming' exit

12 March 2024

Four months after US Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) revealed that he would not be seeking re-election in 2024, the Republican leader on Tuesday said he would be leaving Congress earlier than his colleagues expected — next week.

Immediately after his March 12 announcement, Buck, who's served in the US House of Representative for nine years — spoke with CNN's Dana Bash about why he decided to head for the exit before November.

"I think this place is dysfunctional," the congressman of nine years told Bash during a break from a hearing with special counsel Robert Hur regarding his decision not to charge President Joe Biden over his handling of classified documents.

"For example," Buck continued. "I am the number third-ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I haven't even asked my questions yet."

The Colorado leader suggested his GOP colleagues have a "personal" grudge against him for often opposing their views — such as believing Biden did not steal the 2020 election from Donald Trump, as well as publicly opposing the House Republicans' ongoing efforts to impeach the president.

Several journalists and lawmakers shared reactions to Buck's abrupt exit.

NBC News senior political reporter Sahil Kapur tweeted, "GOP Rep. Pat Fallon reacts to Ken Buck leaving Congress next week: 'Very surprising. Very disturbing. Very alarming. Very concerning.' Meanwhile, a Democratic operative texts this: 'Re: buck. At this point. Give us the majority for the rest of the year. Good grief.'"

Former congressman and CNN senior political commentator Adam Kinzinger wrote, "By resigning early, Ken Buck is giving an advantage to anyone but Lauren Boebert. She cannot run in the special election since she already occupies a seat, so another person will be elected to serve out the term, and it won’t be Lauren. Smart."

Mike Madrid, co-founder of the anti-Trump organization, Lincoln Project, said, "Ken Buck playing chess."

Newsline Colorado reporter Chase Woodruff wrote, "Ken Buck's resignation appears carefully timed. If he leaves office on March 22, the special election to replace him will have to be scheduled between June 15 and 30. Colorado's primary election is set for June 25."

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