Bloomberg Gives $2.5 Million to Bennet's Governor Bid

$2.5 million. That's how much former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has poured into supporting U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's bid to become Colorado's next governor. To put that in perspective, it's more than any Republican candidate has raised in the race. Bloomberg's contribution to the state-level super PAC backing Bennet is a significant boost to the Democrat's campaign.

For context, Bloomberg's $1.25 million donation, made between January 1 and April 29, accounts for more than half of the $2.5 million raised by Bennet's supporters during that period. The group spent nearly $1.2 million, mostly on ads, and had $4.6 million in the bank at the end of the reporting period. Let's do the math: that's a substantial war chest for a campaign that's still in its early stages.

Other notable donors include Brighter Future for Colorado, which gave $500,000 to Rocky Mountain Way, and the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, which contributed $75,000. Uber and Norm Brownstein, founder of the Denver-based law and lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, also made significant donations. On paper, these contributions suggest a broad base of support for Bennet's campaign. In practice, however, it's worth noting that these donations come from a mix of individuals, organizations, and corporations with varying interests and agendas.

Bloomberg's involvement in Colorado politics is nothing new. He has a history of supporting causes and candidates in the state, including a $3 million contribution to two state political action committees in 2022. More recently, he gave $750,000 to a committee supporting a ballot measure enshrining abortion access in the state constitution. His support for Bennet's campaign marks his largest cash infusion into a state campaign since the 2022 election cycle.

The TV ad currently running, paid for by the super PAC, portrays Bennet as a fierce opponent of the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress. The ad's narrator emphasizes the need for a governor who "fights back," highlighting Bennet's battles against GOP bills to sell off public lands. This messaging suggests that Bennet's campaign is gearing up to take on Republican opponents and make a strong case for his leadership.

It's also worth noting that Bloomberg's support for Bennet's campaign comes with no strings attached, as state-level super PACs are prohibited from coordinating with candidates or their campaigns. However, the sheer scale of Bloomberg's contribution raises questions about the influence of outside money in Colorado's gubernatorial race.

For locals, the implications of this story are clear: the 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a high-stakes, high-spending contest. As the campaign season heats up, it's likely that we'll see more significant donations and expenditures from various sources. The practical bottom line is that this level of spending will likely lead to a deluge of advertising and outreach efforts, making it essential for voters to stay informed and critically evaluate the messages they receive.