Report: Denver Schools Chief Bennet Is Next Senator

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet will fill the Senate seat being vacated by Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), according to The Denver Post.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) plans to announce Bennet as his pick on Saturday, according to sources close to the process. Salazar will leave the seat to become the Interior secretary in the Obama administration.

Bennet has been Denver’s schools superintendent since 2005. He has sought to link teacher compensation to performance and has backed other school reforms. Bennet previously served as chief of staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who was also mentioned as a possible successor to Salazar.