Congressman-elect Ken Buck beat cancer but he can’t seem to beat the occasional rumor that his cancer has come back.
Republican Ken Buck will be sworn into office as a congressman in January after winning the 4th Congressional District race. (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/ The Denver Post)
The Weld County Republican laughed Wednesday afternoon when asked about his health, saying his latest checkup in October showed him to be cancer-free.
“The next time I go for a checkup you can come with me. How does that sound?” he said. “I don’t have cancer. I haven’t had any indication of cancer. I’m running three times a week. I’m swimming three times a week. I’m lifting weights. It’s just absolute nonsense.”
Buck that he was undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lymphoma. Two months later, he announced the cancer was in remission.
Buck said the cancer rumors hit earlier this year when he was running against U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, the Democratic incumbent. Buck jumped out when the Senate race, and instead in the 4th Congressional District.
Buck said both before the and the , he had to fight the rumors. Some voters were told that they should vote for Buck’s opponents because his cancer had returned.
“I think there is a reluctance to vote for somebody (with something like cancer) because that could open up the office,” he said. “Itap just one of the most cynical, political rumors people can spread. But honestly, I have not felt healthier in probably three-and-a-half years.”
Buck, who narrowly lost his U.S. Senate race in 2010 to Democrat Michael Bennet, cruised to victory in November with 65 percent of the vote. He was of the freshman Republican class. He can’t wait to be sworn into office Jan. 6.
“People were saying, ‘What if you get a bad office?’ There is no bad office. I’m going to Congress. It’s an unbelievable honor. I don’t care if they give me a broom closet in the Library of Congress. I’m just absolutely thrilled to do this.”
