Scoop: Michael Bennet to launch bid for Colorado governor

• The two candidates offer a contrast in styles and ideology with Bennet as the more moderate contender.
• A spokesperson for Bennet did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Case in point: Bennet voted in January to support President Trump's pick for Energy secretary, Chris Wright, touting the former Denver fracking executive's "deep expertise."

• Meanwhile, Weiser is positioned as the state's most prominent Trump adversary, using his powers to file more than a dozen lawsuits challenging the administration.

Context: Bennet, the former Denver Public Schools superintendent, is serving his third full-term in the U.S. Senate after being reelected in 2022.

• Weiser is in his second and final term as the state's top prosecutor.

The intrigue: This is the second time Bennet has looked to leave his Senate post. He ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020 in a crowded field and failed to gain traction.

• Bennet is expected to keep his U.S. Senate seat while campaigning for governor.

The other side: Weiser didn't mince words when reacting to Bennet's entry into the race. In a statement to Axios, he labeled himself the "fighter Colorado needs" while downplaying Bennet's experience for the job.

• "Two years ago, the voters sent Sen. Bennet back to D.C. because we believe he would be there for us no matter what," Weiser said, adding: "Now more than ever, we need experienced Democratic leaders in Washington."

Earlier this week, Weiser announced high-profile endorsements from former Colorado first lady Dottie Lamm, the wife of the late Gov. Dick Lamm, and support from former Gov. Roy Romer, who will serve as a co-chair of the campaign.

• Anna Huck will lead Weiser's team as campaign manager. She most recently served as finance director for now-North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's campaign.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser's comment.