DENVER — Sen. Michael Bennet has prostate cancer, a spokesperson confirmed to FOX31 and Channel 2 Wednesday evening.
Bennet sent the following statement Wednesday night:
“Late last month, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. While hearing news like this is never easy, I am fortunate it was detected early, and as a result, my prognosis is good. During the upcoming Senate recess, I will have surgery in Colorado and return to work following a brief recovery.
“The work we have in front of us to restore a politics that is worthy of our kids and grandkids has never been more important. This unanticipated hurdle only reinforces how strongly I feel about contributing to the larger conversation about the future of our country, and I am even more committed to drive that conversation in a positive direction.”
Bennet, a 54-year-old Democrat, has represented Colorado in the Senate since 2009. He started his time in the position by filling the seat that was vacated by Ken Salazar, who became the Secretary of the Interior under President Barack Obama.
Before his time in the Senate, Bennet was the superintendent of Denver Public Schools.
Bennet has been considering a run for president in 2020. It is unclear whether the cancer diagnosis will affect those plans.