April 11, 2025 10:04 AM UTC

Bennet Launches Campaign for Governor as Salazar Ponders

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• by: Colorado Pols

Senator Michael Bennet today kicked off his campaign for Governor in 2026, revealing what we have said was the “least-kept secret” in Colorado politics over the last six weeks.

As Jesse Paul reports for The Colorado Sun, Bennet launched his 2026 campaign with a slew of big-name endorsements — including Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Boulderish) and Jason Crow (D-Aurora). But Bennet’s initial interview with the Sun included a strange own goal:

Should he be elected governor, Bennet could resign from the Senate and let Gov. Jared Polis select the person who would serve out his term, which ends in January 2029. However, Bennet said he plans to stay in the job until he is sworn in as governor and hand pick his successor.

“I believe that if I’m elected governor, I will be in the position to pick the replacement,” he said. [Pols emphasis]

This is not something we would have said out loud. Bennet is entering the race in a prime position, but it’s probably going to rub some Democratic Primary voters the wrong way that he is so openly discussing becoming a kingmaker. Remember, Bennet began his career in the Senate when then-Gov. Bill Ritter appointed him to fill the remainder of the Senate term of Ken Salazar when the latter accepted President-elect Barack Obama’s offer to serve as Secretary of the Interior in late 2008.

As for Salazar, he’s back in Colorado after serving as Ambassador to Mexico in the Biden administration. Salazar has always wanted to be Governor of Colorado and is still apparently considering a run of his own. Here’s what he said in a statement issued today:

“Colorado is fortunate to have strong leaders stepping forward in the race for Governor, including Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser—both dedicated public servants who have made significant contributions to our state.

Senator Bennet, my successor to the seat we won for the U.S. Senate in 2004, has done a great job—standing up to Donald Trump, fighting for rural Colorado, leading on climate and renewable energy, and championing the values that define our state.

Attorney General Weiser, my successor in the AG’s office, a seat we first won back in 1998 and again in 2002, has also been a steadfast advocate for rural Colorado and a fierce defender of the rule of law in the face of Trump’s attempts to dismantle it.

Colorado Democrats will choose their nominee for Governor in June 2026, and more candidates may still emerge before then. Whoever ultimately earns that nomination must be ready to represent every corner of our state—especially our rural communities—by delivering practical, innovative solutions to the real challenges we face together.”

The TL;DR version of this statement is that Salazar has not closed the door on running for Governor in 2026. That’s not to say that the door is still open, however. Salazar is 70 years old and hasn’t been on the ballot in Colorado since 2004; an entire generation of Colorado voters have no idea who he is or that he once served Colorado as Attorney General and in the U.S. Senate.

If Salazar was really going to run, he probably needed to get out ahead of Bennet. It’s still possible that Salazar could win a three-way Democratic Primary with Bennet and outgoing Attorney General Phil Weiser, but it would be a difficult and bruising campaign and there’s an equal chance he would only capture the bronze medal in such a contest. Salazar may not feel ready to admit that this particular ship has sailed, and that’s fine, but it doesn’t change the reality of his situation.