Ritter picks Michael Bennet for Col. Senate seat

January 2, 3:51 PMCongress ExaminerIgor Derysh

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Gov. Bill Ritter, Photo Courtesy of the AP

In a surprise move, Governor Bill Ritter selected Denver School Superintendent Michael Bennet to replace Ken Salazar, the next Secretary of the Interior, in the U.S. Senate. Bennet, who has no legislative experience, beat out much more popular and better suited candidates such as Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Colorado Congressmen Ed Perlmutter or Ken's older brother, John Salazar, and Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff. 

Governor Ritter was expected to select a prominent Democrat with strong fundraising capabilities to compete for re-election in 2010 in very moderate Colorado. Bennet's fundraising abilities are unknown, especially since he has never run for office of any kind.

While not nearly as big a name as the above mentioned officials, Bennet does bring a good amount of experience to the Hill. Here are some quick facts on the next Junior Senator of Colorado:

• The 44-year-old Bennet is a graduate of Yale Law School where he was Editor of the Yale Law Journal
• Served as Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General under Clinton
• Worked as Managing Director for the Anschutz Investment Company
• Former Chief of Staff for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper
• Superintendent of Denver Public Schools since June of 2005
• Son of Douglas J. Bennet, former President of both Wesleyan College and National Public Radio