Michael Bennet, a US senator from Colorado, ended his presidential campaign on Tuesday, February 11.

"I think it's fitting for us to end the campaign tonight," Bennet told a crowd in Concord, New Hampshire.

Bennet's candidacy sputtered from the outset, with the Colorado senator failing to qualify for the majority of Democratic debates. But he stuck in the race long after his momentum stalled, turning his operation almost entirely to New Hampshire as it became clear he did not have a path to victory in Iowa.

He entered the crowded presidential race in May and pitched himself as a pragmatic lawmaker with a progressive voting record and an ability to win an electorally split state like Colorado.

Prior to the Senate, Bennet spent four years as superintendent of Denver Public Schools. He was also chief of staff for John Hickenlooper when Hickenlooper was mayor of Denver.

Before he was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Bill Ritter, Bennet was superintendent of Denver Public Schools. Here, he gets a goodbye hug from Jo Bunton-Keel, a field specialist for the school system.
Before he was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Bill Ritter, Bennet was superintendent of Denver Public Schools. Here, he gets a goodbye hug from Jo Bunton-Keel, a field specialist for the school system.
Andy Cross/Denver Post/Getty Images
Bennet is joined by his wife, Susan, and their three daughters — from left, Anne, Halina and Caroline — as Ritter announced that Bennet was the choice to fill Colorado's Senate vacancy in January 2009. Bennet's predecessor, Ken Salazar, was leaving his post to become interior secretary in the Obama administration.
Bennet is joined by his wife, Susan, and their three daughters — from left, Anne, Halina and Caroline — as Ritter announced that Bennet was the choice to fill Colorado's Senate vacancy in January 2009. Bennet's predecessor, Ken Salazar, was leaving his post to become interior secretary in the Obama administration.
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Bennet talks about health care during a town-hall meeting he hosted in Frisco, Colorado, in August 2009.
Bennet talks about health care during a town-hall meeting he hosted in Frisco, Colorado, in August 2009.
RJ Sangosti/Denver Post/Getty Images
Bennet has lunch with children while visiting an elementary school in Thornton, Colorado, in April 2010.
Bennet has lunch with children while visiting an elementary school in Thornton, Colorado, in April 2010.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
First lady Michelle Obama supports Bennet at a private fundraiser in Englewood, Colorado, in October 2010. Bennet won his 2010 race against Republican Ken Buck.
First lady Michelle Obama supports Bennet at a private fundraiser in Englewood, Colorado, in October 2010. Bennet won his 2010 race against Republican Ken Buck.
Andy Cross/Denver Post/Getty Images
Bennet and his family celebrate his 2010 victory at a hotel in Denver.
Bennet and his family celebrate his 2010 victory at a hotel in Denver.
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Bennet plays frisbee with a staff member following his victory speech in Denver in November 2010. He was also re-elected in 2016.
Bennet plays frisbee with a staff member following his victory speech in Denver in November 2010. He was also re-elected in 2016.
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Bennet talks on his phone as he rides an escalator at the US Capitol in October 2013.
Bennet talks on his phone as he rides an escalator at the US Capitol in October 2013.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Bennet walks with President Barack Obama outside the White House in November 2013.
Bennet walks with President Barack Obama outside the White House in November 2013.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Bennet attends a Senate Finance Committee hearing in September 2017.
Bennet attends a Senate Finance Committee hearing in September 2017.
Bloomberg/Getty Images
Bennet was boosted by <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F02%2F24%2Fpolitics%2Fmichael-bennet-presidential-consideration-iowa%2Findex.html" target="_blank">a viral moment</a> in January 2019, when he took to the Senate floor to lambast Texas Sen. Ted Cruz with a passionate speech. The usually mild-mannered Bennet raised his voice as he accused Cruz of crying "crocodile tears" for lamenting a tactic Cruz once used himself.
Bennet was boosted by a viral moment in January 2019, when he took to the Senate floor to lambast Texas Sen. Ted Cruz with a passionate speech. The usually mild-mannered Bennet raised his voice as he accused Cruz of crying "crocodile tears" for lamenting a tactic Cruz once used himself.
Senate TV
Bennet campaigns in Johnston, Iowa, in February 2019.
Bennet campaigns in Johnston, Iowa, in February 2019.
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Bennet listens to a question during a CNN town hall in May 2019.
Bennet listens to a question during a CNN town hall in May 2019.
John Nowak/CNN
Bennet participates in the CNN Democratic debates in July 2019.
Bennet participates in the CNN Democratic debates in July 2019.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
Bennet speaks at a forum in Concord, New Hampshire, in February 2020.
Bennet speaks at a forum in Concord, New Hampshire, in February 2020.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Bennet stops at a polling place in Manchester, New Hampshire, in February 2020. He ended his campaign later that day, after voting ended in the New Hampshire primary.
Bennet stops at a polling place in Manchester, New Hampshire, in February 2020. He ended his campaign later that day, after voting ended in the New Hampshire primary.
RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post/Getty Images