Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., makes his way to a meeting in the Capitol as Congress works to end the government shutdown on January 22, 2018. Bennet, a potential 2020 candidate, recently underwent successful prostate cancer surgery. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Sen. Michael Bennet’s prostate cancer surgery was successful.
“Last weekend, Michael underwent surgery and is recovering at his home in Colorado. His doctors report the surgery was completely successful and he requires no further treatment. Michael and his family deeply appreciate the well wishes and support from Coloradans and others across the country, and he looks forward to returning to work after the recess,” spokeswoman Courtney Gidner said in a statement.
The Colorado Democrat said he was advised by his doctors that surgery to remove the prostate gland would be the most prudent course.
Bennet, 54, had been making plans for a possible 2020 presidential campaign when he received a prostate cancer diagnosis. He disclosed the condition at the beginning of April, and also announced plans to undergo surgery over the two-week recess.
The cancer was discovered during a routine physical, ahead of launching his expected White House bid.
In January, a Senate floor speech of the normally mild-mannered Bennet went viral, raising his national profile.
Bennet’s speech allowed him to further test the presidential waters. His campaign has been buying Facebook ads promoting stories about the speech in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. He was already planning to release a book later this year.
With the surgery having been successful, Bennet is expected to jump into the presidential race once he has recovered.
Simone Pathé contributed to this report.
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone or your Android.
