Sen. Bennet’s Viral Senate Smackdown Runs In 4 Key Primary States

WASHINGTON — By Robin Bravender | Newsroom Washington Bureau Chief. Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet made a splash last week for furiously lashing out at Sen. Ted Cruz on the U.S. Senate floor, accusing the Texas Republican of crying “crocodile tears” over workers impacted by the government shutdown.

That same day, the potential presidential candidate’s Senate campaign launched ads touting his speech in crucial primary states, according to a review of Facebook’s political advertisements.

Those ads targeted users in Iowa, South Carolina, Nevada and New Hampshire, according to Facebook data. And they ran as Bennet remains publicly noncommittal about his plans for a bid to unseat President Trump in 2020.

But Bennet has told The Colorado Independent and other news outlets he has considered a presidential run. Last week, he told MSNBC of his plans for a White House bid: “I’m thinking about it … like every single other person” in the U.S. Capitol.

Bennet’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday about the purpose of the ads and whether they’re related to a possible presidential run.

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Sen. Michael Bennet speaks at the Westin Downtown Denver in November 2018. (Photograph by Evan Semón for The Colorado Independent)