Sen. Michael Bennet expected to announce bid for Colorado governor

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet is expected to announce as soon as Friday that he will run for Colorado governor.

Bennet, a Democrat, has served in Washington, D.C., since 2009. His interest in the new office was reported by multiple media outlets Thursday afternoon as his campaign office advised of a planned “announcement” by Bennet on Friday morning.

If he wins the new office, he would succeed Gov. Jared Polis, who is term-limited. A spokesperson for Bennet declined to comment on the reports, which followed weeks of rumors about Bennet exploring a potential run for governor.

If he enters the race, Bennet’s name recognition and long history in Colorado politics — and the political reshuffling that an open Senate seat would set in motion — could help clear the field of other major potential Democratic candidates. Colorado has not elected a Republican to lead the state since 2002.

Bennet was appointed to the Senate in 2009. He’s been elected to the office three times since then, and each time with wider margins. He previously served as superintendent of Denver Public Schools and as then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s chief of staff; Hickenlooper now occupies Colorado’s other U.S. Senate seat.

So far, only Attorney General Phil Weiser has officially announced his candidacy for the governor’s office on the Democratic side — and he wasted no time criticizing his possible rival. In a statement sent to media outlets soon after reports of Bennet’s likely entrance into the race, Weiser described himself as “the People’s Lawyer,” working in Colorado while Bennet was serving in Washington.

“I am the fighter Colorado needs as our next governor,” Weiser said in the statement. “Two years ago, the voters sent Sen. Bennet back to D.C. because we believed he would be there for us no matter what — especially in historically dangerous moments like the one we currently face. Now more than ever, we need experienced Democratic leaders in Washington.”

Three Republicans have filed for the governor’s race: state Sen. Mark Baisley, state Rep. Scott Bottoms and Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell.

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