Rep. Ken Buck announces he will not seek another term

There seems to be a growing trend on the Republican side of the aisle, as several GOP lawmakers have announced their eventual exits from Congress in recent days.

According to The Hill, the latest lawmaker to throw in the towel is Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), revealing that he will not seek another term.

His announcement, which was made during a recent MSNBC interview, is a reversal from only September when he told The Hill that he had planned on running a reelection campaign.

Former President Donald Trump this week released a statement in which he derisively celebrated the news that Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., will not seek reelection. https://t.co/O7l5bmIxeR pic.twitter.com/eNcjx5T9a3

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) November 2, 2023

Buck explained why he's deciding to call it quits, blaming those in his party who believe that the 2020 election was stolen.

"I have decided, Andrea, I’m not gonna seek reelection," Buck said," adding, "I’ve decided that it is time for me to do some other things."

The Colorado Republican continued, saying, "I’m going to be leaving Congress. I’m not going to be leaving the party and I’m not going to be leaving my role in trying to talk truth to the public."

"I have always been disappointed with our inability in Congress to deal with major issues," Buck added. "I'm also disappointed that the Republican Party continues to rely on this lie that the 2020 election was stolen."

The Hill noted:

Buck, who was first elected to Congress in 2014 and represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, is the second GOP lawmaker to announce their retirement from the House on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), the chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, also announced she would not seek reelection.

Buck, labeled by many as a "RINO" Republican, was torched across social media in the wake of the announcement, with many expressing delight that he will no longer serve in Congress.

Colorado’s Ken Buck isn’t going to run for reelection. 😁😁😁 Makes me smile. He caused problems during this last speaker vote. He didn’t get his way. His state doesn’t want him. And, he’s another FAILED POLITICIAN that refuses to believe the 2020 election was fraudulent. Rumor… pic.twitter.com/69r34ibTzA

— MAGA PATRIOT TGM (TERI) (@udreams30) November 2, 2023

His exit also comes in the wake of the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Buck, a member of the Freedom Caucus, was one of the eight Republicans who voted to vacate McCarthy in first-of-its-kind vote.

What little bit of support Buck had left after that was completely drained when he withheld support for voting for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) to take the speakership, blaming Jordan's alignment with the idea that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen.

Only time will tell who fills Buck's seat when it's empty, but many are already lining up to take a shot at it.