US Senator Michael Bennet says, Colorado can become anational model that provides upward mobility for all its citizens, and he wantsto lead that charge as the state's Next governor, you're watching the LocalNews Network, brought to you by Durango Gelato Coffee and Tea and M and RPlumbing. I'm Zach Marqua, democratic Senator Michael Bennet fielded questionsfrom a friendly audience about healthcare, the economy, tariffs and Texasgerrymandering during his southwest Colorado Town Hall at Fort Lewis College onAugust 5th. But one question kept surfacing, why would Bennet a three timesenator, who has been an effective democratic voice for Colorado, choose to runfor governor? He maintains that Colorado can lead the nation by example tocounter what he called the Trump administration's assault on the Constitutionand the nation's Democratic principles.

We need to double down in the present and we need to pushback in the present as hard as we can to preserve those institutions, toprotect those institutions. And I, I think Colorado can be a beacon for all 50states on that question. I think that we can be a vision, we can provide avision for all 50 states from here that shows the country how a democraticrepublic can actually function. It can educate our children, it can propelpeople economically from their, from circumstances of poverty into the middleclass.

Bennet also decried efforts by the Texas state legislatureto redraw its congressional district map to favor Republicans during the 2026midterm elections.

It is just appalling, appalling, appalling. So it, you know,the system that Trump is breaking, these guys in Texas have now found a way toeven break it further. I really fundamentally believe that, that people shouldpick who their politicians are not the other way around.

In an interview with the local news network, Bennet said thequestions posed at the Durango Town Hall reflected the concerns that many ofhis constituents have expressed.

I think the most overarching theme is, is just the concernthat people have of Donald Trump's willingness to break our democracy, concernsabout the economy, which people are already struggling with and, and, and theysee their costs go up as a result of, of what the Trump administration isdoing. So, and I just think an overarching concern about whether or not we'reever we're going to get out of this period. And I think the answer to that iswe will, but we're going to have to struggle to do it. And that's been true ofwhat Americans have had to do from the very beginning of our country, andthat's what we have to do today

As he travels across Colorado. During the congressionalrecess, Bennet says he's urging voters to get involved now to ensure that theDemocrats can win the 2026 midterm elections.

And I mentioned how critical I think it is for us to flipthe house in the next election. And that starts now by organizing and, andgoing to house parties and meeting together on, on the weekend to make surewe're preparing for the work that has to be done.

Bennet most likely will face Colorado Attorney General Philwiser in a Democratic primary battle for governor. For more information aboutelections and voter registration, visit the La Plata County Clerk's website andfor similar news stories, visit Durango Local News. Thanks for watching. I'mZach Marqua.

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