Retiring GOP Rep. Ken Buck Says His Party Is Facing A ‘Collision Course With Reality’

After Rep. Ken Buck (R- Colorado) announced his decision not to run for another reelection to Congress, he expressed his concerns over a capricious Republican party and the nation’s path to a “collision course with reality.”

Buck has represented Colorado’s Fourth District since 2015, and his reelection would have given him his sixth term serving in the House of Representatives.

The congressman was one of eight Republicans who voted to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R- California) as speaker of the House this fall.

Buck’s decision to step down from Congress reflects his distaste towards coworkers and their continuing denial of the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot.

“Too many Republican leaders are lying to America, claiming that the 2020 election was stolen,” Buck stated in his announcement video. “Describing the January 6 riot as an unguided tour of the Capitol and asserting that the issuing prosecutions are a weaponization of our justice system.”

The congressman noted that the Republican party seems to be straying away from its original values each passing day and continues to be hyper-fixated on “retribution and vengeance,” which keeps them from moving forward and leading the nation down the right path.

“We belong to the party of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Regan; our movement has always been fueled by a mutable truce about human nature and individual liberty and economic freedom.”

Buck isn’t the only GOP to express his disappointment in the party.

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona) also announced in October that she will not be looking for re-election, stating, “Washington is broken.”

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) announced that he would be retiring in September, saying it is time for the touch to be handed to the next generation of leaders with a fresh perspective.

“It is time to stop feeding popular narratives and start addressing the long-term solution,” said Buck.

Earlier today I announced that I won’t be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

To my friends in Colorado, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve our nation. Being your representative in Washington DC has been the highest honor of my life. pic.twitter.com/FQdPVbpH46

— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) November 1, 2023