To many observers, ex-Rep. Ken Buck’s decision to expedite his retirement appeared to be a deliberate attempt to keep Boebert from taking his long-held seat after she made the decision to vacate her more competitive home district. Since Buck left Congress last week, those plans have actually backfired. (RELATED: Ken Buck Leaves Congress With Unbelievable Parting Gift)
Buck timed his resignation to force Boebert to choose between devoting her attention to getting out the vote in a last-minute special election or voter persuasion, specifically ingratiating herself with primary voters weary of her drama. If another Republican won the special election, a distinct possibility in a crowded primary, they would be running as the incumbent with all of the strategic advantages that accompany that position.
Colorado Republicans, once led by Buck as the state party chairman, had different plans.
Mediaite’s Alex Griffing explains:
However, a GOP panel on Thursday night surprised Colorado pundits by choosing former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez to run as the GOP candidate in the special election. Lopez was one of nine contenders vying for the slot, but one of only two who had vowed not to run for reelection in November – effectively acting as a placeholder for Boebert.
Local Colorado anchor Kyle Clark explained the impact of the panel’s decision, “Fmr Rep Ken Buck’s resignation bet backfired. A GOP committee didn’t pick the establishment successor to fill his seat until January, opting for a Rep Lauren Boebert-backed placeholder who isn’t challenging her for the GOP nomination in June.”
Boebert, who narrowly won reelection in 2022, has become a lightning rod of controversy, often grabbing national headlines with her antics. The pro-Trump congresswoman sent a letter to the panel choosing the special election candidate urging them to choose a placeholder candidate so as not to “influence the regular primary election in a way that would taint the entire process and give this candidate an unfair leg up.”
Buck had publicly denied trying to kneecap Boebert in her effort to stay in Congress, while Boebert had accused him and “the establishment of concocting a swampy backroom deal to try to rig an election” against her.
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