A special election has been scheduled for June 25 to fill the House seat left vacant by outgoing Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), according to an announcement made by Gov. Jared Polis (D) on Tuesday. The election will be held on the same day as the state’s primary.
Buck surprised everyone by announcing his resignation from the House on Tuesday. The resignation will take effect next week, despite his earlier statement that he would not seek reelection.
Adding to the complexity of the House election in Colorado, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is seeking to switch districts in order to succeed Buck, further complicating the situation.
Lauren Boebert will appear on the ballot in the primary election for the district. However, she will need to resign from her House seat in order to run for the special election. Both parties are permitted to nominate one candidate for the race, and Boebert currently serves as the representative for Colorado’s 3rd District.
Boebert’s chances may be negatively impacted by split ballots, as Republican voters are more inclined to support a single candidate for both the special election and primary.
The 4th District primary is bustling with activity, as 11 candidates have entered the race. The district leans heavily towards the Republican party, so the winner of the primary is expected to secure the seat in November.
“It has been a tremendous privilege to represent the constituents of Colorado’s 4th District in Congress over the past nine years,” expressed Buck in a heartfelt statement. “I am deeply grateful for their unwavering support and constant encouragement throughout my tenure.”
“I am pleased to announce that I will be leaving Congress by the end of next week,” he declared. “I am excited about continuing my involvement in the political sphere and dedicating more time to my family in Colorado.”
Buck’s exit is adding to the challenge for Republicans in the House, as their slim majority is further diminished. With Buck’s seat now vacant, the GOP can only tolerate a maximum loss of two members on any vote that follows party lines.
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