“Alan started City Year which later became the model for AmeriCorps. He believes service can unite, heal our country and tackle pressing challenges. I can’t think of anyone with better experience for this moment or a stronger commitment to social justice than Alan. I’m also a huge believer in people coming to Washington who have not spent their whole lives in politics. Alan’s spent his life fighting for grassroots change that affects real regular people. He’ll bring the energy from our streets to the halls of Congress to make a real difference in the lives of workers and families all across our beautiful country.”
- Senator Michael Bennet

(Brookline, MA) - In a video released today, Colorado Senior Senator and Former Presidential Candidate, Michael Bennet, announced he is endorsing Alan Khazei for Congress in Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District today in a video released by the Khazei for Congress campaign. Senator Bennet is the latest to back Khazei’s campaign, joining a broad coalition of leaders across the democratic spectrum, from Massachusetts local leaders to Obama Administration alumni.

In endorsing Alan Khazei, Bennet cited his vision and proven capacity to build a movement to pass meaningful legislation that will make a difference in people’s lives, AmeriCorps being a sterling example of Khazei’s successful approach. Khazei recognizing that we are in a “New Deal” moment, has offered a platform of big ideas and innovative solutions including: implementing Emergency Wage Support to keep workers on the payroll and save small businesses; establishing Restore the Dream Accounts that would allow young adults to unlock $50,000 in accrued assets upon completing a year of service; a comprehensive plan to Fix Our Democracy and protect voting rights; and a proposal for an American Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission which would ensure that the racial justice awakening happening across America will lead to transformational legal, policy and cultural change.

“Alan started City Year which later became the model for AmeriCorps. He believes service can unite, heal our country and tackle pressing challenges. I can’t think of anyone with better experience for this moment or a stronger commitment to social justice than Alan. I’m also a huge believer in people coming to Washington who have not spent their whole lives in politics. He’ll bring the energy from our streets to the halls of Congress to make a real difference in the lives of workers and families all across our beautiful country,” said Senator Michael Bennet in offering his endorsement of Khazei.

Before Michael Bennet became a senior Senator for Colorado, he was the superintendent of Denver Public schools from 2005 to 2009, where he improved student performance as well as pushing for bold reforms that would allow for better teachers to be hired. Khazei and Bennet worked together to establish City Year in Denver. “Alan and I worked together to bring City Year to Denver, helping thousands of students succeed and we’ve stayed in touch ever since,” added Senator Bennet. “Alan knows service can unleash the idealism and energy of young people to solve problems.”

Michael Bennet was appointed to the Senate seat in January 2009 and was elected in the 2010 Senate election, where he was endorsed by former President Obama and defeated Republican Ken Buck. He then chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2014 cycle and won re-election in 2016 where he had the most votes for a Democratic candidate in the state’s history.

Senator Bennet was also a member of the “Gang of 8,” which was a bipartisan group of four members on each side of the aisle to work together on reforming the broken immigration system.

As a member of the Senate Education Committee, Bennet has pushed for students to “graduate highschool with the ability to earn a living wage, not just the minimum wage.”

“I am deeply honored to receive Senator Bennet’s endorsement,” Khazei said. “Senator Bennet has been a steadfast leader in Colorado and for our country on education, immigration, fighting poverty, supporting veterans, the environment, health care, jobs and many other issues. He has taken his practical, hands on experience as an excellent Superintendent of the Denver Public Schools to be a champion for those who need it the most. Senator Bennet has also been a passionate voice objecting to the dangerous policies of the Trump administration, standing up for the values and ideals of our country. I would be excited to work with Senator Bennet to help pass meaningful legislation in both chambers of Congress that provides health care, jobs, fights climate change and gun violence and brings about racial justice.”

Currently Senator Bennet is on the education forefront, where he is one of the lead senators pushing the Emergency Educational Connections Act, which would ensure internet connectivity for every child and devices during the pandemic. Bennet expressed his support for Khazei’s calls for universal access to broadband: “Alan is committed to ensuring access to education for working families across his district and the country. As we both believe, every child should have access to the internet and a device, especially during this pandemic when education is pushed online. I know Alan will work in Congress to deliver equity and quality education for all,” Bennet said.