(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Ken Buck announced Tuesday that he’s stepping down from his seat in Congress next week.
The Colorado Republican said in November he wouldn’t seek a sixth term, citing his disappointment with the Republican Party’s outlook.
“I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado with my family,” Buck said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The move means Republicans will be down another seat ahead of the November election. The GOP will have a slim 218-seat majority, while Democrats have 213 seats. Three other seats are currently vacant.
Buck represents the 4th Congressional District, which covers most of the state’s sprawling eastern plains.
Republicans have a crowded primary for the 4th District, with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert running for the seat, as well as current state lawmakers Rep. Mike Lynch and Rep. Richard Holtorf, and former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg.