Rumble in Congress: Colorado’s Buck denies early exit is designed to make Boebert’s run tougher

Outgoing Rep. Ken Buck insists his abrupt departure from Congress next week isn’t meant to hurt Rep. Lauren Boebert’s bid for his seat.

Mr. Buck, Colorado Republican, announced last fall that he wouldn’t seek reelection for Colorado’s 4th District, citing dysfunction in Congress. The move prompted Ms. Boebert, facing a tough reelection bid in Colorado’s 3rd District, to jump ship and run for Mr. Buck’s seat.

Then on Tuesday, Mr. Buck announced he would leave Congress on March 22, months before the end of his term. Ms. Boebert called the move a “gift to the uniparty” and suggested his departure was an attempt to “rig” the election against her.

“It’s ridiculous,” Mr. Buck told The Colorado Sun.

Mr. Buck’s decision to quit Congress early spurred the calling of a special election by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on June 25, the same day as the primary election in the district. Ms. Boebert has refused to resign her seat to run in the special election, opting to focus on the primary race.

She has tried to fundraise off Mr. Buck’s decision, again urging her supporters not to allow the “uniparty to rig this election.”

“I’m not giving anybody an advantage or disadvantage,” Mr. Buck said. “I have done my very best to stay out of this primary election.”