BREAKING: Anti-Trump Rep. Ken Buck Will NOT Seek Re-Election

Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) has announced that he will not be seeking re-election. The decision comes amid considerable internal tension within the Republican Party, particularly following two bruising battles over the Speaker’s position that laid bare the deep divisions within its ranks.

Buck was among the eight Republicans who sided with Democrats to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. However, he also refused to support Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) for the job.

When asked about the state of the party during a Wednesday interview, Buck expressed his hope, saying, “I think the party will come together. We obviously have a lot of very important issues with Israeli funding, Ukraine funding, the continuing resolution that we need to pass.”

Given the challenges the party is facing and the slim margin it holds, in the House Buck alluded to a need for unity in order to tackle major issues. When pressed about his personal decision, Buck said, “I have decided, Andrea, I’m not going to seek re-election.” He confirmed that he would be joining Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) in the decision.

Expanding on his reasons, Buck voiced his displeasure with Congress, saying, “I always have been disappointed with our inability in Congress to deal with major issues.”

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.

Before entering politics, Buck worked for the U.S. Department of Justice and later served as a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010 but was narrowly defeated by Democrat Michael Bennet. In 2014, Buck ran for and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Colorado’s 4th congressional district.

“If we’re going to solve difficult problems, we’ve got to deal with some very unpleasant truths or lies and make sure that we project to the public what the truth is,” Buck explained.

Buck has authored a book titled “Drain the Swamp: How Washington Corruption is Worse than You Think,” in which he discusses his views on government inefficiencies and corruption.