Biography
Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in the United States Senate since 2009. Recognized as a pragmatic and independent thinker, he focuses on creating opportunities for future generations. Bennet has worked across party lines to address challenges such as education, climate change, immigration, health care, and national security.
Born in New Delhi, India, Bennet's mother, Susanne Christine Bennet, is a retired elementary school librarian and Holocaust survivor from Warsaw, Poland. His father, Douglas J. Bennet, held various roles, including president and CEO of National Public Radio and Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs. Bennet grew up in Washington, D.C., and attended St. Albans School.
Before his Senate appointment, Bennet served as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, leading reforms that improved student achievement and halted annual budget cuts. He also served as Chief of Staff to then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, balancing the city's budget and implementing responsive government reforms. In the private sector, Bennet was Managing Director at the Anschutz Investment Company, managing the restructuring of over $3 billion in corporate debt.
In April 2025, Bennet announced his candidacy for governor of Colorado in the 2026 election.
Bennet is married to Susan Daggett, a natural resources lawyer, and they have three daughters: Caroline, Halina, and Anne.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in History from Wesleyan University
- Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of The Yale Law Journal
Political Experience
- Chief of Staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper
- Superintendent of Denver Public Schools
- Appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2009 to fill the seat vacated by Ken Salazar
- Elected to a full Senate term in 2010; reelected in 2016 and 2022
- Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2014 election cycle
- Member of the "Gang of Eight" that introduced comprehensive immigration reform legislation in 2013
- Announced candidacy for governor of Colorado in April 2025
Notable Achievements
- Co-authored the Inflation Reduction Act, making significant investments to address climate change and reduce health care costs
- Played a key role in passing the Every Student Succeeds Act, revamping No Child Left Behind
- Secured funding for conservation and forest management to reduce wildfire risk
- Advocated for renewable energy, securing extensions of wind and solar tax credits
- Supported the designation of Chimney Rock as a national monument, boosting tourism and preserving cultural heritage
