JUST IN: Longtime GOP Rep. Ken Buck Announces Surprising Career Update

In a surprising announcement, Rep. Ken Buck, a prominent Republican figure known for his service in Colorado’s 4th District, has declared his decision to leave Congress at the end of next week. The congressman, who has been a part of the political landscape for nearly a decade, shared his intentions through a statement on X, reflecting on his time in office and his future plans.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Colorado’s 4th District in Congress for the past 9 years,” Buck wrote. “I want to thank them for their support and encouragement throughout the years.

In his statement, Buck did not specify the reasons behind his decision but emphasized his desire to remain active in the political process. “Today, I am announcing that I will depart Congress at the end of next week. I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado and with my family,” he wrote.

Statement from Congressman Ken Buck on his departure from Congress. pic.twitter.com/orjSzenZnv

— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) March 12, 2024

WATCH:

In a conversation with CNN’s Dana Bash about his choice to exit, Buck condemned the current state of affairs on Capitol Hill, saying, “It is the worst year of the nine years and three months that I’ve been in Congress and having talked to former members, it’s the worst year in 40, 50 years to be in Congress. But I’m leaving because I think there’s a job to do out there.”

He further commented on the deterioration of the institution into petty conflicts and ineffectiveness, stating, “This place has just devolved into this bickering and nonsense and not really doing the job for the American people.”

Buck’s early departure will narrow the Republicans’ slender majority to 218 seats compared to the Democrats’ 213, alongside three empty seats. Given this composition, the Republicans would have a margin of just two votes for passing bills strictly along party lines.

Buck (R-CO) has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 4th congressional district since 2015. He has a background as a prosecutor, having served as the Weld County District Attorney in Colorado before his election to Congress.

The representative was among the eight Republicans who voted to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from his position in early October.

Buck hasn’t shied away from criticizing the Republican Party’s stance on issues in the past and expressed disappointment over the party’s adherence to Trump’s stance on the 2020 election as well as certain narratives surrounding the January 6th Capitol breach.

Buck’s departure signals a moment of transition for Colorado’s 4th District, opening discussions on potential successors and the future political landscape of the region.