A pair of Republicans in Congress have announced they won’t seek reelection next year, with one of them blaming former President Donald Trump for his decision.

Reps. Ken Buck, R-Colo., and Kay Granger, R-Texas, both made their announcements on Wednesday, with Buck telling MSNBC his decision is related “in part to his party’s reliance on former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.”

“I’ve decided, Andrea, I’m not going to seek re-election,” Buck said in an interview on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.”

The Colorado Republican revealed his decision after Granger, 80, announced she would be stepping away next year as well.

“I’m joining Kay and probably some others in the near future, but I’ve decided that it is time for me to do some other things,” Buck said. “I always have been disappointed with our inability in Congress to deal with major issues, 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.”

Advertisement

He noted further: “If we’re going to solve difficult problems, we’ve got to deal with some very unpleasant truths or lies and make sure that we project to the public what the truth is.”

Buck added that he doesn’t plan to leave the Republican Party, noting that the 2024 elections are “critical… both at the presidential level and in the House.”

In her statement, Granger, chairwoman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, said she believes it’s time for someone younger to take her place.

“As I announce my decision to not seek re-election, I am encouraged by the next generation of leaders in my district,” she said. “It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people.”

“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,” Granger added.

NBC News added: “Granger represents part of Fort Worth and its western suburbs, serving in the House since 1997. She previously served as mayor of Fort Worth. Buck’s district covers the eastern portion of Colorado, east of Denver. Both represent safe Republican districts, according to the Cook Political Report.

Republicans Ken Buck and Kay Granger to retire from Congress as Buck blames election denialism. https://t.co/xx8xvvSw2S

— ABC News (@ABC) November 1, 2023

Both lawmakers were among the House Republicans who voted to certify Joe Biden’s election in 2020, splitting from the 147 members of their conference who voted to overturn the results.”

Following Trump’s 2016 victory, a majority of Democrats and left-wing talking heads on cable news refused to accept his win, calling him an “illegitimate president” who only won because of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assistance, a claim that several investigations have debunked.

Advertisement

That included his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, whose campaign was found to have initiated the ‘Russian collusion’ hoax, according to special counsel John Durham’s probe.

“Buck was recently among eight Republicans who voted to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as speaker. He also opposed Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in his bid for speaker. Granger was instrumental in blocking Jordan’s speaker bid as the only committee chairperson to repeatedly vote against him. She and a group of appropriators formed the core of the anti-Jordan bloc,” NBC News reported.

As for Trump, he is far and away leading the 2024 GOP primary field. That said, court dates for the former president are beginning to pile up and are likely going to have a significant impact on his ability to campaign for the 2024 GOP nomination, coming at the height of the primary season.