Michael Bennet Swaps Chief Of Staff Jeff Lane For Political Operative Guy Cecil

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet has replaced his Chief of Staff, Jeff Lane, with long-time Democratic Party operative Guy Cecil, a former political director for Hilary Clinton. The move to hire a seasoned political strategist is widely being interpreted as a recognition by Bennet that he is facing a serious reelection challenge from both primary challenger Andrew Romanoff and Republican Jane Norton.

Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post analyzes:

Cecil's hiring is an acknowledgment by Bennet of the difficult path he must tread over the next 12 months. But, given Cecil's reputation within the party, it should also serve to reassure nervous strategists that Bennet grasps the enormity of his challenge and is doing everything he can to tackle it.

In a statement to the Denver Post, Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams said "Bringing in a national political gun to run Bennet's Senate offices shows what disarray his entire operation is in."

In a statement released today, Bennet said:

Guy's strong work ethic, leadership abilities, and strategic thinking will be a real asset. Colorado will be well-served by having Guy on our team.

Comments

[17ladyslippers]

Bennet has a pedigree of entitlement. If he didn't have "connections", he would just be another working stiff. A highly-paid, well-educated working stiff, but certainly not where he’s landed as of now. Bennet assumed he would be a shoe in. Now he has to shell out the big bucks for Democratic Party operative Guy Cecil. ..

Let’s hope Romanoff can get some strong support to run a healthy Primary challenge. Primary Elections are good things – they tend to put all of the issues on the table so voters know what the candidates’ beliefs are.

May the best man win and go on to beat the Republican challenger Norton.

[MrsPeel]

As a Coloradan, I can say i don't like what I see.

[TullyMars]

Bennet has turned out to be a major d-bag. Whispers within the Democratic Party indicate they don't like what they see.