Two Republican Lawmakers Opt Out of Re-Election Following Tumultuous Speaker Fight
Two Republican members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2024, marking another sign of internal strain within the GOP following weeks of turbulence over the House speakership. One of them, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, pointed directly to former President Donald Trump and ongoing election-denial rhetoric as key factors behind his decision to step aside.
Buck confirmed his announcement in an interview on MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports, saying his choice stemmed “in part” from the Republican Party’s continued embrace of Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential race was stolen.
“I’ve decided, Andrea, I’m not going to seek re-election,” Buck told Mitchell, noting his frustration with both congressional dysfunction and the party’s ongoing reliance on conspiracy narratives tied to the election and January 6. “I always have been disappointed with our inability in Congress to deal with major issues,” he said. “And I’m also disappointed that the Republican Party continues to rely on this lie that the 2020 election was stolen and rely on the Jan. 6 narrative and political prisoners from Jan. 6 and other things.”
Buck added that while he is stepping away from Congress, he has no intention of leaving the GOP. Instead, he framed the 2024 cycle as pivotal: “The next election is critical… both at the presidential level and in the House.”
His announcement came just hours after Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, the influential chair of the House Appropriations Committee, revealed she also will not run again. Granger, 80, emphasized that she believes it is time to make room for younger leadership.
“As I announce my decision to not seek re-election, I am encouraged by the next generation of leaders in my district,” Granger said in a statement. “It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people.”
Despite stepping away from future campaigns, Granger vowed to complete her current term and continue working alongside the newly elected House Speaker and GOP colleagues. “Although I am not running for re-election, I plan to serve out the remainder of my term and work with our new Speaker and my colleagues to advance our conservative agenda and finish the job I was elected to do,” she stated.
Both departures come as the Republican conference continues to navigate deep internal divisions, particularly in the wake of the contentious battle that unfolded over the speakership — divisions that have begun to shape not only legislative strategy, but the party’s future leadership as well.
NBC News noted that Granger represents portions of Fort Worth and its western suburbs, and has served in the House since 1997 after previously holding office as mayor of Fort Worth. Buck’s district encompasses the eastern plains of Colorado, stretching east of Denver. Both seats are considered safely Republican, according to the Cook Political Report.
Both lawmakers were among the group of House Republicans who voted to certify President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory, breaking from the 147 GOP members who opposed certification and sought to overturn the results.
Their decisions come against a backdrop of long-standing partisan disputes over election legitimacy. After Donald Trump’s victory in 2016, numerous Democrats and prominent media commentators questioned his win, frequently labeling him an “illegitimate president” and attributing his victory to Russian interference—claims that multiple investigations have since discredited. That included his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, whose campaign, according to special counsel John Durham’s report, played a role in initiating the Trump–Russia collusion allegations.
NBC News also pointed out that Buck was among the eight Republicans who voted to remove then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He also opposed Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for the speakership. Granger, meanwhile, played a significant role in blocking Jordan’s candidacy, emerging as the only committee chair to repeatedly vote against him, forming part of a bloc of appropriators who halted Jordan’s momentum.
As for former President Trump, he remains the commanding frontrunner in the 2024 Republican primary. However, the mounting legal schedule he faces in the months ahead threatens to complicate his campaign efforts, with court dates stacked throughout the heart of primary season and poised to influence the race in unprecedented ways.
