Updated at 4:04 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.
Colorado Congressman Ken Buck will not seek reelection next year.
In a statement announcing his decision, Buck thanked the people of Colorado for the opportunity to serve. “Being your representative in Washington, DC, has been the greatest professional thrill, and highest honor, of my life.”
He said Americans are looking to Republicans to offer a viable alternative to Democratic policies, but that the party is unable to do that while its leaders continue to support false claims the 2020 election was stolen and minimize the violence of the Jan. 6 riot.
“It is impossible for the Republican party to confront our problems and offer a course correction for the future, while being obsessively fixated on retribution and vengeance for contrived injustices of the past,” said Buck.
He went on to say, “I made the decision to leave Congress because tough votes are being replaced by social media status. It's time to stop feeding popular narratives and start addressing the long-term solutions.”
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In an interview with MSNBC, Buck also cited the decline of civility in politics and Congress’ inability to deal with big problems facing the nation, including the long-term sustainability of Medicare and Social Security.
“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...
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