Colorado representative's resignation further narrows majority of House GOP

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., plans to step down from office at the close of next week, he wrote Tuesday in an abrupt social media statement. “I look forward to staying involved in our political process as well as spending more time in Colorado and with my family,” he said.

Buck had already decided not to run for reelection in November of last year, but his recent decision will speed up his departure from the House of Representatives. By law, Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis must now schedule a special election to fill Buck’s seat. The 65-year-old has represented Colorado’s 4th Congressional District — the eastern end of the state excluding Denver—since 2015. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., had said in December that she intended to switch districts, running for Buck’s seat in the fall.

What does that mean for the House of Representatives? Buck’s departure is just the latest in a long line of lawmakers—from both sides of the aisle—who have decided to retire or pursue office elsewhere. However, unlike many of his colleagues who plan to leave at the end of the 118th Congress, Buck’s premature departure puts the GOP conference in a tight spot. With Buck’s departure, Republicans would have a 218-213 margin, keeping the majority by just two seats.

The party hopes to widen its majority through a handful of special elections: One in New York to replace Rep. Brian Higgins, another in California to fill former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s seat, and one more in Ohio brought on by Rep. Bill Johnson’s retirement. Buck’s retirement makes it more difficult to pass any Republican party-line priorities without the help of Democrat votes.

Dig deeper: Read my story in The Stew on the wave of lawmakers leaving Washington.