Democratic Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet announced Friday morning that he is running to be the state’s next governor in the 2026 midterm cycle.
The senator declared his intention to succeed term-limited incumbent Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in the blue state, setting up a competitive primary battle with Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser, as other candidates may still enter the race. If Bennett wins the primary and general election, he would become one of several Democrats to leave the Senate at the end of this Congress.
“I’m running for governor to build a brighter future in Colorado and give people a chance at a better life. The best solutions to our challenges will not come from Washington’s broken politics. They will come from us,” Bennet said in a campaign video. “Together, we can make Colorado the best state to live, work and raise a family in, and provide the leadership and vision our country needs.”
Bennet was reelected to the Senate in November 2022, securing his seat until Jan. 2029 even if he loses the gubernatorial race. If Bennet wins the upcoming election, it would be his job to appoint a successor to take his place representing Colorado in the Senate.
Prior to his Senate appointment in 2009, Bennet served as the Denver Public Schools superintendent which sparked his drive to enhance the Child Tax Credit during both President Donald Trump’s first term and Biden’s presidency. The tax credit has taken a front-and-center position in Bennet’s bid to govern the Rocky Mountain state, along with bills to cut prescription drug prices and protect Colorado’s public lands.
Bennet has also been put off by Washington politics recently, telling NBC News’ “Meet The Press” the Democratic party’s brand is “problematic.”
“I do agree that the Democratic Party brand is really problematic, and I think it is a brand that is — with all respect to my colleague from California — is associated with New York and with California, is associated with the educated elites in this country and not anymore with working people in this country,” Bennet told the program in late March. “If the Democratic Party would show up with some imagination, I think not only would we do better, the American people would do better.”
Bennet in March admitted to “dodging” a question regarding whether he supports Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer continuing to lead Democrats in the upper chamber. Bennet’s remarks came after Schumer said he would vote for a funding bill advancing Trump’s agenda rather than shut the government down.
Before Bennet announced his run for governor, Weiser was the leading candidate in the gubernatorial race.
“While Senator Bennet has been in Washington, I have served Colorado as the People’s Lawyer, working directly with people in every county of every background to solve difficult challenges. That’s just what a governor does. I am prepared for this job and will continue to build a better future for us all,” Weiser said in a statement. “Two years ago, the voters sent Senator Bennet back to DC 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.”
While Weiser’s campaign said that the Attorney General has already raised $1.9 million for the gubernatorial race, Bennet is racking up endorsements from fellow Colorado Democrats. Sen. John Hickenlooper, along with Colorado Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow, as well as Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and former Mayor Wellington Webb have all endorsed Bennet, per his campaign.
Other Democratic Senators such as Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Gary Peters of Michigan and Tina Smith of Minnesota have all announced they will not seek reelection in 2026. Some have speculated that Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin may announce his retirement as well, but he is yet to reveal whether he will run for a sixth term during the midterms.
Bennet’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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