I’m noticing a pattern in Sen. Michael Bennet’s runs for political office. He was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2009, and Coloradans have since elected him three times. Two years into his second six-year term, he announced a run for the presidency, which ended in 2020. We reelected him to the Senate. Now, two years into that six-year term, he has announced a run for governor – while remaining in his Senate seat.
I have not heard a compelling reason why he is best suited to lead Colorado. His claim that he can fight Trump better from Colorado than from Washington strains credulity, given his track record of going along to get along and voting to confirm Trump’s nominees. That argument is especially suspect given that Attorney General Phil Weiser – also running for governor – has a proven record of strong and successful opposition to Trump’s illegal actions, reclaiming millions of dollars for Colorado. Weiser also has an intimate knowledge of how state government works and how it can work better. Bennet does not.
Bennet’s pattern raises questions of motive. Does he see the governor’s seat as a steppingstone to the presidency? Does he see his Senate seat as a consolation prize for failed runs at other offices? He should serve the full term we elected him to, then decide in 2028 whether he wants to run for Senate again. He should not expect us to simply trust that decision.
Eleanor Cabell
Centennial
