THORNTON — The likelihood that Michael Bennet will face a serious primary opponent in next year’s U.S. Senate race grew slimmer Saturday when he picked up the official endorsement of fellow Democrat Sen. Mark Udall.
Given that Bennet already has the support of Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, who appointed him to the job in January, Udall’s blessing is likely to prompt second thoughts from anyone in the party’s establishment who might have considered a challenge.
Udall said Saturday that his support for Bennet is based on their compatible philosophies and a solid working relationship that has developed during their time in Washington. He and Bennet toured the Ascent Solar Technologies plant in Thornton on Saturday and talked about their shared view that Colorado should take the lead in creating clean energy technology and reap the high-tech jobs that go with it.
Udall said their voting records in the Senate to date are almost identical, and they share the same views on energy, the economy, health care and other issues.
“Our records match up because we’re looking out for Colorado and we’re looking out for our country,” he said.
Udall said with the economic troubles the country faces, Bennet brought vital experience to the Senate, including his years overseeing $500 million in investments and reorganizing distressed companies for Anschutz Investment Co.
The former Denver Public Schools superintendent and former chief of staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper wore a suit and wing tips as he toured the manufacturing plant Saturday.
He was absorbed in the details as he quizzed Ascent vice president of operations Ashutosh Misra while they walked.
Udall, a seasoned Western politician in jeans and boots, spotted technician Mike Kimberlain and his four children in the wings, and off he went to say hello as cameras followed.
“That’s a great-looking group you have there,” Udall said as he shook the voter’s hand.
Dick Wadhams, head of the state Republican Party, said he was surprised Udall waited nearly six months to declare his support for Bennet, 44, who was appointed to the seat vacated by Ken Salazar when he became interior secretary.
“It raises the question in my mind whether Sen. Udall was holding off to see if a better candidate emerged than Colorado’s accidental senator,” Wadhams said, referring to Bennet.
State Democratic Party chairwoman Pat Waak said there was nothing unusual about the timing of the endorsement.
As far as another Democrat to challenge Bennet? “I hope not,” she said.
“Anybody could still get in, but to be honest with you, I haven’t heard of anyone expressing interest in getting in this race to challenge Michael,” she said. “He’s a great candidate.”
Bennet grew up in Washington and worked in the federal Justice Department before moving to Colorado in 1997. He has visited 34 Colorado communities since his appointment.
“What I’m learning about Colorado is we’re very opinionated in this state,” Bennet said. “But we agree on a lot more than we disagree on.”
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
