Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
41.2%
32%
Colorado Democratic Governor nominee?
$783.9K
JUL 1, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age61 years old (Nov 28, 1964)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationColorado
BackgroundAttorney
EducationWesleyan University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsMichael Farrand Bennet is a Democratic politician and attorney who has served as a U.S. Senator from Colorado since 2009. Before the Senate, he was Superintendent of Denver Public Schools and served as chief of staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, after working in investment management at the Anschutz Investment Company. He earned a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Yale Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of The Yale Law Journal. He is married to Susan Daggett and they have three daughters.
SourcesShowHide
bennet.senate.goven.wikipedia.orgbritannica.comgmengage.gm.compolitico.comapnews.comaxios.compolitifact.comballotwire.comhistory.house.govmichaelbennet.combudgetmodel.wharton.upenn.educnbc.comcfr.orgwedefendthevote.orgcoloradopolitics.comvocesunidas.orgphilforcolorado.comcoloradosun.comdenverpost.comgazette.comnytimes.comcoloradonewsline.comthe-journal.comms.nowfacebook.comrollcall.comfoxnews.com9news.comballotpedia.orgsenate.govwikidata.orgjudiciary.senate.govfinance.senate.govfec.govdocquery.fec.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgde.wikipedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations while expanding refundable tax credits and other tax relief for low- and middle-income workers and families. Has proposed substantial tax reforms (higher top income rates, higher corporate rate, mark‑to‑market capital gains taxation, and higher estate taxes) to finance expanded social investments. Also sponsors legislation to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and prevent large profitable corporations from paying little or no federal tax.
Healthcare
Supports building on the Affordable Care Act and creating a public option to expand access and lower costs, with additional proposals to strengthen Medicaid, expand a state health plan option, and lower drug and care prices. Opposes single‑payer/Medicare for All in favor of public-option and targeted expansions.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship and protections for Dreamers while also endorsing strengthened border security and enforcement guardrails. Has sponsored and backed legislation to protect migrants’ rights, expand legal pathways, and increase accountability for DHS, ICE, and CBP. Advocates bipartisan, commonsense solutions balancing humane treatment of immigrants with measures to secure the border and uphold the rule of law.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Michael Bennet supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and other reproductive health care, and has sponsored and co-sponsored federal legislation to restore and codify abortion rights and protect providers. He opposes restrictions that would limit travel for care or criminalize providers and has advocated for protections for medication abortion and insurance coverage for abortion services.
Climate & Energy
Supports ambitious emissions reductions including net-zero by 2050 and rejoining international climate efforts; favors major clean-energy investment, expanded clean-energy tax credits, greenhouse-gas standards, carbon pricing, and targeted support for communities and workers affected by the transition from fossil fuels. Advocates deploying clean-technology manufacturing, grid resilience, electric-vehicle infrastructure, and market-based state-level programs (cap-and-invest) to meet emissions targets while addressing affordability and community impacts.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded federal background checks and legislative limits on high-capacity magazines and certain gas-operated semi-automatic firearms; has introduced and cosponsored bills aimed at reducing access to weapons used in mass shootings and improving school-shooting data collection.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Michael Bennet was defeated by Phil Weiser in the Colorado Democratic gubernatorial primary, with Weiser leading by more than 13 percentage points and becoming the party’s nominee. Before the vote, Bennet was trailing in polling and was active on campaign issues like western Colorado priorities and opposition to new ICE detention centers in Colorado. He also criticized Gov. Jared Polis’s clemency for Tina Peters, which became part of the broader Democratic primary debate.
bennet.senate.gov+37
Articles
BDBoulder Daily Camera23 days ago
How Phil Weiser beat Michael Bennet in Democrats' primary for governor
Negative
TDThe Denver Post1 month ago
Poll suggests surge by Phil Weiser against Michael Bennet in primary
Negative
TAThe Aspen Times2 months ago
What the 2 Democratic candidates for governor say they’ll do for western Colorado
Neutral
FCFort Collins Coloradoan2 months ago
How to watch Colorado governor candidates in debates
Neutral
Polls
Colorado Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Colorado Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Michael Bennet for Colorado Democratic Governor nominee?
Defend The Vote
Elected official
Defend The Vote endorsed Michael Bennet for Colorado governor.
NRDC Action Fund
Elected official
NRDC Action Fund endorsed Michael Bennet for Colorado governor.
Voces Unidas Action Fund
Elected official
Voces Unidas Action Fund endorsed Michael Bennet for governor of Colorado.
Brittany Pettersen
Public figure
Rep. Brittany Pettersen endorsed Michael Bennet in Colorado's gubernatorial primary.
Over 50 elected officials and community leaders across Colorado
Elected official
Over 50 elected officials and community leaders endorsed Michael Bennet for Colorado governor.
Five former governors and current U.S. senators
Former elected official
Five former governors and current U.S. senators endorsed Michael Bennet for Colorado governor.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$20.7M
$15.5M
$10.4M
$5.2M
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$20.7M
$740.8K
$20.5M
$854.4K
Cycle 2024
$1.2M
$466.9K
$1.5M
$60.6K
Cycle 2026
$213.8K
$201.8K
$478.9K
$26.6K
Source: FEC