WASHINGTON—Colorado’s soon-to-be senator says he plans to make the state’s agriculture a top priority.
Democrat Michael Bennet, scheduled to take the oath of office Thursday, will replace Ken Salazar, who resigned to become interior secretary.
Bennet says he requested a seat on the Agriculture committee because the industry is important to Colorado and the state isn’t represented on the panel. The state’s other senator, Democrat Mark Udall, is on the Armed Services and Energy committees.
“It looks pretty good,” Bennet said of his prospects for appointment to the committee.
Bennet, 44, a former Denver public schools chief who hasn’t held elected office before, also said he plans to visit the state’s farming communities.
Bennet says his most immediate concern is the massive economic stimulus plan the White House and congressional Democrats are fashioning.
“It’s critical the people in Colorado have their voices heard on how that money is spent,” Bennet said.
Udall, a former congressman, says Coloradans shouldn’t worry that he and Bennet won’t have much influence because they are both freshmen.
“Getting things done in Washington is primarily a function of personal relationships, of keeping your word …. I know many of the senators already on both sides of the aisle,” Udall said.
