Sen. Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetSome realistic solutions for income inequality Democratic senators kneel during moment of silence for George Floyd 21 senators urge Pentagon against military use to curb nationwide protests MORE (D-Colo.) is considering a 2020 presidential bid, three people close to him confirmed to Colorado Public Radio, widening an already large net for potential Democratic candidates for president.
“What he said to me is he is seriously thinking about running,” said one individual. “He has not made up his mind yet, but he is seriously thinking about running.”
Bennet’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
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Bennet first made headlines when The Associated Press reported that he was in contact with Democrats in Iowa, which holds the first presidential caucuses of the 2020 primary cycle.
Bennet, a soft-spoken moderate with a lower profile than other senators, could benefit from several high caliber Democrats dividing the vote in what is expected to be a crowded primary for the party.
The Coloradan could potentially face off against wide field of prominent Democrats including former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), and Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.), Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.), and Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownHillicon Valley: Senators raise concerns over government surveillance of protests | Amazon pauses police use of its facial recognition tech | FBI warns hackers are targeting mobile banking apps Democratic senators raise concerns over government surveillance of protests Some realistic solutions for income inequality MORE (D-Ohio).
There is also a chance that Bennet would be facing off with fellow Coloradan John Hickenlooper, the state’s governor, who was term-limited from running again in the Centennial State. Hickenlooper has also made presidential headlines by founding his own political action committee and visiting Iowa and New Hampshire. He’s said he would make a final decision in January on whether to run.
A source told CPR that Bennet spoke to Hickenlooper within the last few months about a run for president. The two are known to be close after Bennet served as Hickenlooper’s chief of staff when he was mayor of Denver.
“Bennet is a U.S. senator focused on finance, education and foreign policy,” one insider told CPR. “Hickenlooper is a centrist, midwestern mayor and governor who worked in a bipartisan way to get things done. I think they have different cases to make to the public. They just happen to be friends and allies.”
Bennet’s state could also help him in a primary race. Colorado is still considered by some to be a swing state, though it has been trending blue in recent years. It voted for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE over President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE by about 3 points in 2016, but voted for Bennet by about 6 points.