WELD COUNTY, Colo. — Congressman Ken Buck changes positions faster than a yoga teacher.
On whether to repeal Obamacare.
Whether to give fetuses personhood.
Whether to try and overturn the 2020 election.
Whether to make an election denier Speaker of the House.
Buck's latest flip could be his last flip.
He's decided not to run for re-election.
"I made a decision to leave Congress because tough votes are being replaced by social media status,” Buck said in a video-recorded statement.
One of the reasons he gave was Republican election denialism.
"Too many Republican leaders are lying to America, claiming the 2020 election was stolen, describing Jan. 6th as an unguided tour of the capitol, and asserting that the ensuing prosecutions are a weaponization of our justice system,” Buck said in the same video.
Though, he recently voted for election denier Rep. Mike Johnson for House Speaker after not voting for Rep. Jim Jordan because he was an election denier.
CNN’s Abby Phillip asked Buck about that vote on Oct. 25.
“You think it's okay for him or any other speaker candidate to vote to de-certify the 2020 election which was free and fairly won by Joe Biden?” Phillip asked.
“I don't think it's OK, Abby. I think it's a mistake, but I think people make mistakes and still can be really good speakers,” Buck said on CNN.
Congressional District Four is heavily Republican and covers Weld County, Douglas County and all of eastern Colorado.
Current voter registration in the district looks like this:
· 46% Unaffiliateds
· 35% Republicans
· 17% Democrats
Who will run for Congressional District 4 in Colorado?
There are two candidates who have already filed paperwork.
Yes, they are running:
Trent Leisy, who posted a photo of himself in a “MAGA KING” red hat, hugging an American flag. In an official campaign kickoff event, he did a fist pump dance similar to former President Trump.
Justin Schreiber has also filed paperwork in the Republican primary.
Candidates who are considering:
Deb Flora | She's a conservative talk radio host who tried to run for U.S. Senate last year, but just missed getting enough support at the State Republican Convention to qualify for the primary. “I am getting a lot of encouragement to run and there will be an announcement of my decision forthcoming tomorrow,” she said in a text.
State Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg | “I don’t know that I am but am definitely considering it. I have a lot of family meetings,” Sonnenberg said in a phone call. He said he was given a heads-up just before Buck’s announcement, but not by Buck.
State Rep. Richard Holtorf | “We’re having an emergency meeting with my exploratory committee tonight,” Holtorf said in a phone call. He ended by saying it “highly probable.”
George Brauchler | He's the former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District in Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. Brauchler said that he found out the news from Next with Kyle Clark. “I had never given it serious consideration because it was never real. Now that it’s real, I need to give it serious consideration,” Brauchler said in a phone call.
Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas | Thomas, who has been at odds with the two other Republican county commissioners in Douglas County said in a phone call that it is something her team is certainly thinking about.
Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon | In a text message, Laydon alluded to being open to running. “My priorities as Chairman of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners have been to successfully address crime, homelessness, mental health, and property taxes effectively while keeping us debt free. I’m open to exploring how I may serve my country in Congress if that is the will of the people, but right now my main focus is to serve the 400,000 Douglas County citizens I currently work for,” Laydon wrote in a text.
When asked if “if that is the will of the people” means if they vote for him as a candidate, he texted again.
“I’m humbled to have received so many texts and calls from Colorado and DC asking me to run for Congress. I’ll continue to have conversations and listen to those I serve as to where they want me to go,” Laydon replied.
Patrick Neville | The former House Minority Leader is out of politics at the moment. In a text message, he said that he needs to pray on his decision.
Candidates who are not running:
Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams | When reached on Wednesday morning, Reams was quick to say he was not running. He said it is not in his family’s best interest.
Kristi Burton Brown | The former head of the Colorado Republican Party said she is highly likely to run for another elected position. “I did very strongly consider, but talked with my family and with my kids' ages it is highly unlikely, but highly likely that I’ll run for Congressional District 4 State Board of Education instead, so I can be in Colorado,” Burton Brown said in a phone call.
Douglas County Commissioner George Teal | In a text message, Teal made it clear he is running for reelection to his commissioner seat. “Please let everyone know I have the best job in America now and will be running for reelection as Douglas County Commissioner next year. I do look forward to working with the next Congressman for the 4th Congressional District to the benefit of the people of Douglas County, Colorado,” Teal wrote in a text.
Greg Brophy | The former state senator was quick to say he was not running, but said he wants a congressperson with a tie to agriculture.
State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer | She ran for Congress in Congressional District 8 last year and still lives in CD8. She is running for reelection to the state Senate, but could have run for CD4 even where she lives. It is not a prerequisite to live in the district you want to represent in Congress.
Have not heard back from:
Heidi Ganahl | The former gubernatorial candidate and University of Colorado regent did not return a phone call or text.
State Rep. Mike Lynch | The current State House Minority Leader did not return a phone call.
Ted Harvey | The former state senator was mentioned by Neville as someone who might run. Harvey did not return a call after saying he was headed into a meeting.
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