Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., had already declined to run for re-election… but now he’s set to leave Congress even sooner than expected. On Tuesday, Buck announced his plan to leave Congress on March 22, after nine years in office.
Buck made the announcement during the hearing on Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents, and he blindsided the House speaker.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters, “I was surprised by Ken’s announcement.” Johnson added that he “didn’t know” in advance.
“I’m looking forward to talking to him about that,” Johnson concluded.
After Buck’s retirement, the GOP will see its margin of majority shrink from six to five, and it’ll control the chamber by a margin of 218 to 213.
However, Johnson remains optimistic about his ability to steer the House GOP even after losing some room for dissent.
“The strategy is still the same: Build a consensus, keep the coalition together,” Johnson said.
“I’m confident we can do that. We have big things ahead of us but I think everybody understands the stakes and the necessity of working together. Sometimes we have to give up our preferences but we’re never gonna compromise core principles. But we’ll get the job done.”
Take a look —
Speaker Mike Johnson was caught off guard by the announcement from Ken Buck retiring early.
“I was surprised by Ken’s announcement. I look forward to talking to him about that,” he told reporters.
He said he did not know in advance: “I did not know.” pic.twitter.com/7egUzQcBRg
— Haley Talbot (@haleytalbotcnn) March 12, 2024
Right after announcing his retirement, Ken Buck ran to his future employer, CNN, to give them the first scoop.
Asked why he’s leaving early, Ken Buck cites having to wait his turn to speak at the Robert Hur hearing, and that’s not cool because he’s Ken Buck. pic.twitter.com/mNK3bisq2v
— Rowan Saydlowski (@rsaydlowski) March 12, 2024
Colorado will host a special election for someone to serve the remainder of Buck’s current term.
State law requires holding the election in mid-to-late June, and Democratic Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday afternoon that he would set it for June 25 — the same day as the Republican primary for the House’s next term.
By retiring early, Buck threw a wrench in Lauren Boebert’s plans to succeed him.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., is facing a tough re-election in her current district. She won re-election in 2022 by a razor-thin margin of less than a thousand votes.
Now, Boebert is running in the GOP’s primary to replace Buck. She moved across the state to run for Buck’s more Republican-friendly seat anchored in Colorado’s eastern plains.
Voters will pick the GOP’s nominee for the next term, but first a committee of Colorado Republicans will pick a nominee for the special election.
The controversial Boebert looks unlikely to become the nominee for the special election. For one thing, Boebert facing allegations of carpetbagging.
The nominee for the special election may run again for the next term. Almost like an incumbent, he or she will have an advantage in the primary context for the next term.
In that case, Boebert is facing a corresponding disadvantage.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill, Buck alluded to the ability of the local Republican committee to effectively choose his heir.
“Whoever fills that seat both for the next Congress as well as the remainder of this Congress will do a great job,” he said.
The Horn editorial team and the Associated Press contributed to this article.