CONGRESSMAN BUCK RESIGNS: What’s next?

On Tuesday, March 12, Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District (CD-4), announced his resignation from Congress, effective March 22nd. The DCGOP thanks Congressman Buck for his years of public service. However, his sudden departure triggers a process to fill the vacancy he leaves behind.

The election window

When a congressional vacancy occurs more than 90 days before a general election, federal law requires that the vacancy be filled by a special election. Colorado law (CRS §1-4-401.5) requires that the Governor set an election date in a window of 85 to 100 days after the vacancy is declared. The existing state primary date of June 25 falls into the allowable window, and on March 12, Governor Polis issued a proclamation that scheduled the special election to fall on that date.

The ballot choice

Delegates of a political party will nominate a candidate to appear on the ballot for the special election. For the Colorado GOP, each Congressional district has a committee that oversees its regular and special elections. The CD-4 committee will meet no more than 20 days after the Governor’s proclamation to designate a candidate. State GOP Chairman Dave Williams must issue a call to the delegates stating the number of delegates from each county and the method of their selection. Generally, delegates are chosen based on a process set by the CD-4 committee’s bylaws. After the call is issued, delegates will meet and choose a candidate.

Republicans and Democrats will each have one candidate. Unaffiliated candidates are allowed to petition onto the ballot.

The election

The ballot choices will appear on the same ballot as the primary election candidates. Republicans will have two choices. The first will be who will replace Ken Buck until the November general election. The second is who will be the Republican nominee to be the new Congressman after the general election. The first choice will step into office right away. The second person will advance to the November ballot and will likely (based on the 29% GOP registration advantage in CD-4) be the winner of the general election. These two choices can be the same person, although some people may (and have already) declared their candidacies for the special election that do not intend to run in the primary, and there is at least one who has declined to run in the special election but will compete in the primary.

Next steps

The party is currently waiting for the CD-4 leadership to organize a meeting so the state chairman can issue a call. Any vacancies in the CD-4 delegate roster will be addressed by county parties.