Staff report
Just hours after news of U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner's intent to seek a U.S. Senate seat broke, the representative for Colorado's 4th Congressional District picked up an endorsement.
"We need to replace Mark Udall in the Senate, and I believe Congressman Cory Gardner is in the strongest position to make that happen," Ken Buck, Weld County district attorney, said in a news release issued late Wednesday afternoon.
Buck, like Gardner, a Republican, had been a candidate for the Senate seat occupied by Democrat Udall. Now, Buck plans to vie for the District 4 post being vacated by Gardner.
"The Senate race has never been about me but about helping change the direction of the country," Buck said. "I hope to have the opportunity to lead the fight for limited government and fiscal responsibility as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives."
The 4th Congressional District includes many counties in the eastern plains region of Colorado, but also encompasses some territory close to the Denver metro area, including Parker, Lone Tree, Castle Rock and Elbert County.
Gardner, a former state representative, was elected to Congress in 2010. He was pursuing re-election to the House this November, and as recently as Monday, had picked up an endorsement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Gardner, a Yuma resident, was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
