On the heels of a Tuesday Denver Post feature outlining how union political contributions in 2006 have bought legislative access in 2009, insiders wonder what this will mean for Colorado's newly appointed U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a Democrat. Bennet, after all, has earned the favor of moderates and even some conservatives in recent years after taking on union policies during his reign as superintendent of Denver Public Schools.
As a result, and unlike his fellow Democrats, there is no love lost between Bennet and the powerful teachers unions. During his time DPS, Bennet fought with the teachers union to change the district's pay plan and to give teachers more money early in their careers. The unions fought the measure because it would have taken money away from veteran teachers. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, but the incident has left doubts as to whether Bennet will be well received by unions in 2010.
Bennet's support for the unions will also be tested in the Senate when it comes time to vote on the Employee Free Choice Act, which was killed in 2007 due to a Republican filibuster but is expected to be resurrected this year. Currently, the law allows employees to vote for unionizing in a private-ballot election. The EFCA would replace the private vote with a method called “card check.” If card check becomes law, workers could lose their right to a private vote, making it easier for labor bosses to intimate workers into supporting unionization. Without a clear voting record, Bennet is considered a swing vote on this issue, and he will undoubtedly be lobbied on it heavily. Should he oppose it, Bennet can count on serious backlash from the unions.
Could a "no" vote translate into a primary against Bennet in 2010?
Right now, the Internet is buzzing that former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, a Democrat who was passed over for Secretary of State and the U.S. Senate seat by Gov. Bill Ritter, might challenge Bennet in a primary. Roll Call, an influential Washington, D.C. publication covering the Capitol Hill, also joined in on the speculation. As reporter John McArdle notes, "there has been increasing chatter in political circles that Bennet will not make it through the 2010 primary without a serious challenge." If this happens, union dollars could certainly be a deciding factor in determining the winner.
The Post’s Karen Crummy observed in her story: “Newly appointed and up for election in 2010, Bennet has become one of the most courted politicians by unions...” However, if Romanoff were to jump in and primary Bennet, the unions wouldn’t have to worry about courting Bennet anymore. Romanoff, who is better known statewide, is already in their back pocket.
Romanoff did not return Face The State’s request for comment about his speculated bid for U.S. Senate.
A divisive Democrat primary could mean good things for the Republicans. As the Grand Junction Sentinel’s Mike Saccone points out on his blog, “Primaries always beget losers. Ask Bob Beauprez and Marc Holtzman circa November 2006. They both lost in the long run.”
Additionally, a U.S. Senate primary could mean bad news for Ritter. Factions within the Democrat Party are not happy with him for appointing the little known Bennet over well known Democrat incumbents including Romanoff, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter or Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. If Romanoff successfully primaries Bennet, it would be a slap into the face to Ritter's flailing political ship.