1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

Senator Michael Bennet's announcement to run for Colorado governor while retaining his U.S. Senate seat for the next 19 months raises ethical concerns. His plan to potentially resign and hand-pick his own successor if elected governor is an unfair power grab that undermines democratic principles. Bennet should resign from the Senate now to avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety. Trying to have it both ways by holding onto his Senate seat during an intense gubernatorial campaign deprives Coloradans of full representation in Washington. Resigning would allow Governor Polis to appoint an interim senator who can focus entirely on federal duties while Bennet makes his case to voters without distraction. This clear separation of roles is crucial for maintaining integrity in our political process. Bennet's resignation now is the right course to demonstrate his commitment to ethical governance and respect for Coloradans.