Supporters underscore Bennet’s commitment to reject the status quo, Weiser’s reliance on studies and lawsuits
DENVER, CO — Local leaders across Colorado continue to rally behind Michael Bennet for Governor, drawing a stark contrast in a campaign defined by a choice between Michael Bennet’s bold, visionary leadership and willingness to make tough decisions and Phil Weiser’s reliance on more commissions and studies that won’t deliver change for working Coloradans.
Michael continues to be the only candidate in the race for Governor running to reject the status quo and achieve bold ideas like a true public option for health care, a cap-and-invest policy that holds polluters accountable, and an ambitious goal to ensure no Coloradan pays more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Phil Weiser’s plans, on the other hand, show he will continue the same policies that have made Colorado the third most expensive state in the country.
Michael has broad experience turning around failing businesses and creating jobs in the private sector, fixing Denver’s broken budget as then-Mayor John Hickenlooper’s Chief of Staff, delivering historic student achievement as Superintendent as Denver Public Schools, and leading the fight against Trump while bringing billions of dollars to Colorado as U.S. Senator. Phil Weiser has spent his career in academia and in the courtroom.
“Michael has always been a champion for Southwest Colorado, and he’ll be one as governor,” said La Plata County Commission Marsha Porter-Norton, Rep. Katie Stewart, Durango Mayor Dave Woodruff, San Juan County Commissioner Scott Fetchenhier, and former Durango Mayors Christina Rinderle and Dean Brookie. “He’ll continue to be a regular visitor, and he’ll make sure we’re at the table when decisions are made in Denver. We know him and the real results he delivers. We’ve worked with him. And we’re proud to ask you to join us in supporting him.”
“Colorado’s cost-of-living crisis isn’t just market forces. It’s also our own broken fiscal architecture. Fixing that requires more than a litigator,” said State Senator Janice Marchman. “Phil Weiser has been an excellent Attorney General, but his state career has been spent in the courtroom, not in budget negotiations. He has never had to explain why Colorado can’t fund Medicaid while issuing refunds. Michael’s proposals to lower energy costs, expand health coverage, and make housing cheaper to build are exactly the right direction, and he has the fiscal experience to fix what’s broken.”
“Michael is the only candidate in the race with a real plan to block new immigration detention centers in Colorado and hold ICE accountable by requiring warrants, not allowing agents to wear masks, and requiring body cameras,” said Tawnya Bowie, Greeley resident. “Compare this to his opponent, Phil Weiser. While Michael was leading the charge to stop family separation at the border under Donald Trump, Weiser refused to join 20 of his Democratic colleagues in a lawsuit to end those horrific family separation policies. Colorado deserves a leader who will make the right decisions, even when it’s hard. We need a fighter for our state, and that’s Michael Bennet.”
“Michael Bennet has always stood up for Colorado — especially when it’s hard. He led the fight to protect our public lands, took on RFK Jr.’s horrific anti-vaccine agenda and brought millions of dollars to Colorado to invest in clean energy,” said Dennis Coombs, former Longmont Mayor. “On the other hand, Phil Weiser has taken money from oil and gas companies, and then failed to join some lawsuits against the Trump Administration to uphold the Waters of the U.S. rule, keep our air clean, and stop oil and gas drilling on public land. Colorado’s future deserves strong leadership. Michael Bennet is prepared to provide it.”
“I believe Michael Bennet is by far the best candidate for the interest of the people of Gunnison County,” said Gunnison County Commissioner Jonathan Houck. “He has a track record of showing up for us as our United States Senator and if elected governor he will continue to show up not only for Gunnison County, but for all rural areas like ours that he knows very well from years of connectivity with our communities. I have worked with Bennet since my times as mayor and for the last 14 years as your county commissioner. I have always appreciated that he talks with us, not at us. He is deeply curious to understand our issues and what outcomes we want before offering solutions.”
“Coloradans need a governor focused on solving problems alongside West Slope residents, not studying them back in Denver,” said Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett. “Michael’s proposals to create a public health insurance option, a cap-and-invest program that holds polluters accountable, and make housing easier and cheaper to build are exactly the kind of practical solutions Western Colorado needs right now. Phil Weiser, on the other hand, is focused on adding more bureaucracy, more commissions, more work to “study” the problem rather than solve it. Colorado cannot afford more political games or empty rhetoric. We need Michael Bennet’s proven leadership focused on results for our West Slope communities.”
