A Colorado Republican panel made a surprising decision Thursday night, choosing a former mayor, Greg Lopez, to be U.S. Rep. Ken Buck's likely replacement until the November general election, a saving grace for Rep. Lauren Boebert's bid for another term in Congress. Lopez will now run as the Republican candidate in the June 25 special election after Buck's resignation at the same time GOP primary candidates are vying to be the congressman's successor. The stakes, however, were far higher than keeping Buck's seat in the U.S. House warmed by a Republican.