Written by: Marianne Partisan

Former Mayor Greg Lopez has been selected as the Republican nominee for the special election in Colorado's 4th Congressional District. This decision, made by a panel of Colorado Republicans, has highlighted the flaws in a system where a mere 98 partisans have the power to select a representative for 800,000 Coloradans.

Lopez's nomination comes as former Rep. Ken Buck stepped down from Congress, leaving a vacant seat that will be filled through a special election on June 25. With the district being a solidly Republican seat, it is expected that Lopez will win and serve out the remainder of Buck's term.

However, Lopez has already stated his intention to step down after the general election in January 2025, potentially paving the way for Rep. Lauren Boebert to run for the seat without facing an incumbent.

Lopez won on the sixth round of voting against former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg with 51 votes, just over 52% of the share.

The decision to choose Lopez over other primary candidates has sparked criticism and some confusion. It was an open primary for the Republican nomination, with seven primary candidates vying for the opportunity to represent the party in the general election. However, Republicans opted for Lopez, who is not running in the primary, in order to avoid, the GOP argued, a potentially confusing situation for voters who could have seen two ballots with the same candidate for the same seat in June.

Critics argue that this system, where 98 people were credentialed to vote in the special convention, fails to adequately represent the interests and preferences of the broader population. They question the legitimacy of a process that allows a select few to choose a candidate who will represent the entire district.

Furthermore, concerns have been raised about Lopez's suitability for the position. He has previously run for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2022 and 2018, losing on both occasions. Some have labeled him more often times as a spoiler.

Additionally, Lopez has had encounters with law enforcement, including alleged domestic violence incidents and a charge of driving under the influence.

READ MORE:

• REP. LAUREN BOEBERT AVOIDS VOTERS AFTER EX-HUSBAND THREATENS TO TOSS BELONGINGS INTO POND

• EX-REP. KEN BUCK REFLECTS ON CONGRESS, DENIES MOTIVES AMID DEPARTURE

• AN EVEN UGLIER WAR OF WORDS ERUPTS BETWEEN COLORADO CONGRESSMEN KEN BUCK AND REP. LAUREN BOEBERT

• THE WAR OF ATTRITION FOR THE U.S. HOUSE: A REFLECTION ON REP. KEN BUCK'S SPEEDY RESIGNATION

It’s worth noting, none of the Republican candidates vying for upcoming special election vying for Buck’s seat garnered the needed 30% during the early selection process needed. The failure to reach this threshold, indicates  that the race for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District is still undecided.