Ken Buck

Ken Buck
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2015
Preceded by Cory Gardner
District Attorney of Weld County
In office
2004–2014
Preceded by Al Dominguez[1]
Succeeded by Michael Rourke[2]
Personal details
Born Kenneth Robert Buck
(1959-02-16) February 16, 1959
Ossining, New York, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Perry Buck (1996–present)
Children 2
Education Princeton University (BA)
University of Wyoming (JD)
Website House website

Kenneth Robert Buck (born February 16, 1959) is an American politician who is the U.S. Representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district. A Republican, he previously served as District Attorney for Weld County, Colorado. Buck was also the unsuccessful Republican challenger to Michael Bennet in the 2010 Senate race in Colorado.

Early life and education

Buck was born in Ossining, New York in 1959.[3] He and his two brothers were encouraged by their parents, both New York lawyers, to attend Ivy League colleges,[4] and Buck earned his B.A. degree from Princeton University in 1981. Buck later said that the Princeton degree was "more important to [my father] than me".[4] Buck played four years of football at Princeton, one year as a defensive back/punter/kicker and three years as a punter, earning All-Ivy League honors as a punter his senior year.[5]

After college Buck moved west and worked in Wyoming at the state legislative services office and received a J.D. degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1985. He was also an instructor at the University of Denver Law School and for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy in Colorado.

Career

U.S. Attorney's Office

In 1986, he was hired by Congressman Dick Cheney to work on the Iran-Contra investigation. Following that assignment, he worked as a prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C.[6]

In 1990 Buck joined the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado where he became Chief of the Criminal Division. Buck was formally reprimanded and required to take ethics classes in 2001 for a meeting he had with defense attorneys about a felony case he thought should not be pursued.[4][7] Only one of the three men initially indicted on felony charges was convicted, for a misdemeanor offense.[7] Buck said he is "not proud" of the incident that effectively ended his career with the Justice Department,[7] but says he felt it was "unethical" to prosecute such a "weak" case against the three men.[8] One of the three men donated $700 to Buck's 2010 Senate campaign.[7]

Weld County District Attorney

Buck was elected the District Attorney for Weld County, Colorado in 2004. When he suspected that Social Security numbers were being stolen by illegal immigrants, he raided a tax service in Greeley, Colorado and seized more than 5,000 tax files. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Buck's office for violating the privacy of the service's clients and after an appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court, costing the county approximately $150,000, the raid was deemed unconstitutional.[4] Buck has said that his time enforcing laws for the Justice Department and Weld County stoked his desire to become a lawmaker himself.[4]

Rape case controversy

During the 2010 Senate race, The Colorado Independent ran an article entitled "Suspect in 2005 Buck rape case said he knew it was rape,".[9] The article, about a case Buck refused to prosecute in 2006, included a complete transcript of a tape between the victim and her attacker, including the following dialogue:

Victim: "You do realize that … it's rape."

Suspect: "Yeah, I do."

Victim: "Like in a number of different ways, because I didn't want to do it and because I was intoxicated and because I was afraid."

Suspect: "Yes I do. I know."

The tape, which Greeley police had the victim record during their investigation, was available before Buck made his decision not to prosecute the woman's admitted rapist. According to a following article in the Independent, "Buck's refusal to prosecute 2005 rape case reverberates in U.S. Senate race,"[10] the reporter provides a transcript of another tape of a conversation between the woman and Buck, in which "Buck appears to all but blame her for the rape and tells her that her case would never fly with a Weld County jury."

"A jury could very well conclude that this is a case of buyer's remorse," he told the Greeley Tribune in 2006.[11]

"That comment made me feel horrible," the victim told the Colorado Independent in 2010. "The offender admitted he did it, but Ken Buck said I was to blame. Had he (Buck) not attacked me, I might have let it go. But he put the blame on me, and I was furious. I still am furious," she said. According to the Independent, "A man entered the alleged victim's apartment and had sex with her while she was drunk, she says. As she passed in and out of consciousness, she says she told him "no" and tried to push him away. If he had been a stranger, the case may have played out differently, but he was a former lover, and she had invited him over."

In the meeting that she recorded, Buck said, "It appears to me … that you invited him over to have sex with him," and that he thought she might have wanted to file rape charges to retaliate against the man for some bad feeling left over from when they had been lovers more than a year earlier. According to the Independent, "Buck also comes off on this tape as being at least as concerned with the woman's sexual history and alcohol consumption as he is with other facts of the case."

Drawing on Buck's abortion stance, the Independent also points out that "The suspect in this case had claimed that the victim had at one point a year or so before this event become pregnant with his child and had an abortion, which she denies, saying she miscarried. The suspect's claim, though, is in the police report, and Buck refers to it as a reason she may be motivated to file charges where he thinks none are warranted."[12]

2010 United States Senate campaign

Republican primary

Angered by what he later called the nation's "lurch to the left,[8] Buck announced his plans to run for U.S. senator on April 28, 2009.[13] In his first run for state-wide office, Buck frequently referenced national issues in defining his goals as a U.S. senator. Among these were his opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (a program of federal economic stimulus initiated under President George W. Bush and finalized under President Barack Obama) and the role of federal policy czars.[8] Buck also stressed mounting governmental debt, an issue to which he was to frequently return throughout the primary campaign.[8] Buck, contrasting himself to what he argued was the "top down" style of early Republican favorite Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton, also pledged a "bottom-up" campaign that would include visits to each of Colorado's 64 counties.[8]

Initially Norton was seen to have had a nearly insurmountable advantage against "a band of underfunded unknowns" that included Buck, who early in the primary season was called "a dead-in-the-water Republican U.S. Senate candidate with laughable fundraising totals and little establishment GOP support". Norton's staff at the beginning of the campaign was twice the size of Buck's. He attempted to make a virtue of his meager war chest by positioning "himself as the small-money underdog" in an election cycle that saw a "populist push for outsider candidates to upset the Washington establishment".[14]

After receiving nearly $600,000 in a television advertising support from Americans for Job Security and a victory in March at the state party's caucuses, Buck began to receive endorsements and notice. By late spring of 2010, Colorado had highly competitive Republican and Democratic primaries.[14]

Although Buck positioned himself as the candidate for the Tea Party movement during the Republican primary,[15] he stirred controversy at times with remarks critical of former Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Tea Party favorite, and the statement "Will you tell those dumbasses at the Tea Party to stop asking questions about birth certificates while I'm on the camera?" – a reference to those suspicious of President Barack Obama's place of birth. Buck blamed the comments on his exhaustion and frustration after months of campaigning, and on his exasperation that it was difficult to keep campaign debate focused on the issue of mounting governmental debt.[16] Tea Party leader Lu Busse criticized Buck's "choice of words" and inclination to treat all Tea Party adherents as a uniform group.[17]

Buck again stirred controversy by suggesting voters should cast their votes for him over Norton because, unlike his female competitor, "I do not wear high heels."[18][19] Buck later stated that he was responding to Norton's television ad claiming he was not "man enough" to attack her himself.[20] (According to mass email, sent on behalf of Senator Jim DeMint, it was a joking paraphrase of his opponent's suggestion to vote for her, "because I wear high heels").

Making reference to Buck's mandatory ethics classes, Norton argued that she "didn't need an ethics class to know what's right. ... Ken broke the rules, and the facts speak for themselves."[21] After Buck's former supervisor, then-U.S. Attorney John Suthers, endorsed Norton, the Colorado Democratic Party Chair called for Buck's resignation from his Weld County post because of his "career bypassing justice and ethics to reward political allies and campaign contributors".[21]

On August 10, Buck defeated Norton in the Republican primary election by a 52% to 48% margin,[22] the end of "a bitterly contested primary that saw him go from an obscure and cash-starved underdog to a gaffe-prone mascot for anti-establishment conservatives [in Colorado] and nationally."[23]

Senate general election

In the November general election, Buck was defeated by Senator Michael Bennet, 48.1% to 46.4%.[24][25]

U.S. House of Representatives

2014 election

On August 19, 2013, Buck emailed supporters and announced that the lymphoma he had been diagnosed with was in remission following treatment and he would run against Senator Mark Udall in 2014. He had already filed to run on August 7, 2013, before he sent out the email.[26] In March 2014, Buck withdrew from the race following the entrance of Rep. Cory Gardner, and decided to run for Gardner's House seat instead.[27]

Buck won the Republican primary, defeating three other candidates, with 44% of the vote[28] and proceeded to win the general election, defeating Democratic nominee Vic Meyers with 65% of the vote.[29]

He is a member of the Freedom Caucus.[30]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Tenure

Buck voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[33] Buck believes the bill is "fairer for American families" and that it will "keep more jobs in America."[34] He also says that it will simplify the tax code, when the process has been recognized as not being simpler than current tax filing processes.[35]

Political positions

Ken Buck speaking at the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland.

Education

Buck supports a revamp of the Department of Education and questions the department's constitutionality.[36] Buck supports gun rights and is endorsed by Gun Owners of America. He stated that he would "oppose any federal legislation to compile a database of gun owners or to further proscribe Americans' freedoms under the Second Amendment".[37] He also stated that if elected to the Senate he would never raise taxes.[36]

Environment

In an October, 2010 meeting with supporters in Fort Collins, Colorado, Buck endorsed the views of Senator James Inhofe, saying "Sen. Inhofe was the first person to stand up and say this global warming is the greatest hoax that has been perpetrated. The evidence just keeps supporting his view, and more and more people's view, of what's going on."[38] According to a Buck spokesman, "Ken believes there is global warming but thinks the evidence points to it being natural rather than man-made."[39]

Healthcare

He opposes the health care reform laws that were enacted in 2010. He instead favors free market-based reforms.[36] His campaign website states, "We need to let the market work, make people responsible for their own insurance, and restore Americans' freedom to decide for themselves whether and how much insurance to buy."[40] He supported a state constitutional amendment that would give rights to unborn fetuses, but then later withdrew his support reportedly after he found out that the measure would have restricted certain fertility and contraception procedures.[41]

Veterans health

Buck proposed privatizing Veterans Administration hospitals so they would "be better run".[42] Three months later, Buck changed positions and his campaign said, "...while Buck does indeed believe that private sector providers might do a better job than the VA in delivering health care to veterans, he is not in favor of fully privatizing health care for veterans."[43]

Human rights

LGBT rights

Buck supports the U.S. military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. He said, "I do not support the repeal of don't ask don't tell. I think it is a policy that makes a lot of sense."[44] Buck believes that being gay is a choice. He said, "I think birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism… but I think that basically you have a choice."[45] The Log Cabin Republicans have rebuked him for this comment.[46]

Net neutrality

Buck signed his support for Ajit Pai's motion to abolish Net-Neutrality, alongside 106 other Republican representatives. When asked about Pai's work to unravel net neutrality rules, Buck said: "I support Chairman Pai's efforts to free internet providers from burdensome regulations that stifle innovation and increase costs for Coloradans."[47]

Social issues

Abortion

Buck opposes abortion, including in cases of rape and incest, but makes exceptions if the mother's life is in danger.[48]

Personal life

Buck married his Princeton girlfriend in 1984, and they divorced in 1994. His mother introduced him to his current wife, Perry Lynn Buck, after meeting her at a gathering for antiques collectors; they married in 1996. Formerly a successful banker and businesswoman, Perry Buck had "given up much of her professional life" to support her husband in his Senate campaign.[49] He has two children from his first marriage. Son Cody (born 1988) is a 2011 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. Daughter Kaitlin (born 1991) received college credit to work on her father's 2010 Senate campaign.[49]

References

  1. ↑ https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/local/buck-elected-weld-district-attorney/
  2. ↑ https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/local/michael-rourke-wins-weld-da-appointment/
  3. ↑ "How Old Is Ken Buck?". Politics Daily. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Allison Sherry "Ken Buck's family background helps him stand strong on principles" July 29, 2010, Denver Post
  5. ↑ "All Ivy Tigers". 2002-10-22. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  6. ↑ Allison Sherry (2010-09-26). "Bucks' East Coast ambition meets West allure". Denver Post. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Allison Sherry "Belittled case drew Senate candidate Buck a rebuke from boss" June 24, 2010, The Denver Post
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "A conversation with Ken Buck". The Denver Post. July 18, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Suspect in troubling '05 Buck case said he knew it was rape". The Colorado Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  10. ↑ "Buck's refusal to prosecute 2005 rape case reverberates in U.S. Senate race". The Colorado Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  11. ↑ Waddingham, Rebecca. "Woman Angry that Her Sex Assault Case Won't be Prosecuted". Archived from the original on October 15, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Rape case catches up with Ken Buck – Salon.com". Salon. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  13. ↑ Federal Election Commission filing; Ken Buck for U.S. Senate, The Colorado Statesman, May 1, 2010
  14. 1 2 Sherry, Allison (15 April 2010). "Long-shot Senate candidate Buck hits bull's-eye in Colo. – The Denver Post". The Denver Post. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  15. ↑ Sherry, Allison (July 26, 2010). "Senate hopeful Buck regrets criticism of Tea Party birthers". Denver Post.
  16. ↑ The Denver Post on Buck's ties to Tea Party
  17. ↑ The Denver Post on Lu Busse's comments
  18. ↑ Lorber, Janie (2010-07-22). "In Colorado race, a focus on footwear". The Caucus (blog). The New York Times. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  19. ↑ "Jane Norton ad takes on Ken Buck over 'high heels' comment". denverpost.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "GOP Rivals Jane Norton, Ken Buck Fight Over "High Heels" and Manhood". cbsnews.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  21. 1 2 "Colorado Democrats and GOP Senate hopeful Jane Norton scold Ken Buck". The Spot (blog). The Denver Post. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  22. ↑ Buck defeats Norton in bruising GOP primary for Senate seat, Allison Sherry, The Denver Post, August 11, 2010
  23. ↑ "Can he Buck the system?". politico.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  24. ↑ "Colorado - Election Results 2010 - The New York Times". nytimes.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  25. ↑ http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2010AbstractBook.pdf
  26. ↑ Davis, Susan (8 August 2013). "Ken Buck enters Colo. Senate race". USA Today. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  27. ↑ "Ken Buck Drops Senate Bid to Run for Cory Gardner's Seat". Roll Call. February 26, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Official Colorado Secretary of State Results". Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  29. ↑ "Official Results November 4, 2014 General Election". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  30. ↑ "What is the House Freedom Caucus, and who's in it?". Pew research center. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  31. ↑ "Member List". Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  32. ↑ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  33. ↑ Almukhtar, Sarah (19 December 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  34. ↑ Matthews, Mark K. (20 December 2017). "How Colorado lawmakers voted on the federal tax overhaul — and why". The Denver Post. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  35. ↑ "Do not expect postcard-sized tax return from Republican plan: experts". Reuters. 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  36. 1 2 3 Ken Buck, "Who Runs Gov", Washington Post
  37. ↑ "Ken Buck's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)". votesmart.org. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  38. ↑ Moore, Robert (August 21, 2010). "Buck makes stop in Fort Collins, discusses statement making headlines this week". The Coloradoan. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  39. ↑ Allison Sherry Senate candidate Ken Buck clarifies comments on global warming "hoax" The Denver Post October 22, 2010
  40. ↑ Buck campaign website.
  41. ↑ "Dems seize on Tea Party candidates social issues", Associated Press
  42. ↑ Keyes, Scott (24 September 2010). "Ken Buck Campaign Can't Get Their Story Straight On Whether They Support Privatizing VA Hospitals". thinkprogress.org. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  43. ↑ "Buck on VA health care privatizing". KDVR/Fox 31 TV. Denver, Colorado. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Senate debates reveal stark differences between candidates :: Northern Colorado Gazette". Greeley Gazette. September 27, 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  45. ↑ "Buck Stands By Controversial Remarks", Politico.com
  46. ↑ "Log Cabin Republicans news release". logcabin.org. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  47. ↑ Chuang, Tamara; Paul, Jesse. "Reporter". Denver Post. The Denver Post. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  48. ↑ "Respect for Life". Buck campaign website. Archived from the original on September 2, 2010.
  49. 1 2 The Denver Post on Buck's personal life
Party political offices
Preceded by
Pete Coors		 Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Colorado
(Class 3)
2010		 Succeeded by
Darryl Glenn
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Cory Gardner		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 4th congressional district
2015–present		 Incumbent
Current U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Brendan Boyle
D-Pennsylvania		 United States Representatives by seniority
321st		 Succeeded by
Buddy Carter
R-Georgia
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