Former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez was chosen as the Colorado Republican candidate to take over from Congressman Ken Buck (R-Colo.). Lopez will be on the ballot for the special election on June 25 to complete the rest of Buck’s term.
Lopez, who ran for governor in 2018 and 2022, was selected by a Colorado Republican panel on Thursday night with 51 votes, while Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg got 46 votes, as reported by the Denver Post.
Lopez emerged as the winner among the candidates. The voting occurred in Hugo, Colo.
“I am not seeking election, and I only intend to serve the remaining six months of this term,” Lopez expressed to Colorado Public Radio. “Tonight, it’s not about giving one person an advantage over their rivals.”
Democrats will choose their nominee for the special election on Monday, facing a challenging situation in the GOP-leaning 4th Congressional District.
“Greg has a broad network from his previous campaigns,” Tom Wiens, leader of the 4th District’s central committee, stated on Thursday, as cited by the source. “He gained a lot of support from across the state. People recognized and trusted him.”
Buck retired from Congress on March 22.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) scheduled the special election to coincide with the primary.
Hard-right Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who represents the 3rd Congressional District, announced late last year that she would vie for Buck’s position after his decision not to seek reelection. She chose not pursue the special election, but will participate in the June primary.
