Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) insisted that his decision to resign next week from Congress was not intended to prevent Lauren Boebert's chances of taking over his 4th congressional district seat.
Boebert issued a statement following Buck's announcement, calling his resignation “a swampy backroom deal to try to rig an election," but the five-term congressman denied that his decision was aimed at complicating her election campaign, reported the Colorado Sun.
“It’s ridiculous,” Buck said, when asked about Boebert's claims.
Boebert issued a fundraising appeal claiming Buck was trying to "let the uniparty rig this race." The retiring lawmaker called her allegations "fundamentally unfair."
“I’m not giving anybody an advantage or disadvantage,” Buck said, noting that he has refrained to comment on Boebert's ex-husband's arrest or her 18-year-old son's arrest. “I have done my very best to stay out of this primary election.”
Boebert moved to contend for Buck's seat after facing a tough battle in her own, which is less conservative. But she has been surprised by the tough competition she faces.
Buck's announcement that he is leaving Congress earlier than expected has triggered a special election, which will be held the same day as the GOP primary. Boebert, who said she doesn't intend to stand in the special election, complained that it would confuse voters.
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Buck hasn't endorsed a successor, and he told the newspaper the timing of his announcement and resignation date was motivated by his frustration with congressional inaction and to limit the taxpayer cost for a special election by having it the same day as Colorado's June 25 primary.
“There’s added cost either way,” said Matt Crane, head of the Colorado County Clerks Association, “but if it’s combined with a primary there’s a lot less cost.”
Boebert won't seek the GOP nomination for the special election but will instead focus on winning the primary, which would likely clear the way for the 4th district race in November because that race is highly favorable to Republicans.
She would have also had to resign her 3rd district seat if she had won the 4th district special election.
“There’s no chance that I will participate in the special election because I’m not going to resign in the middle of my term to further imperil the House majority,” Boebert told a conservative talk radio host on Thursday.
