CNN

Colorado Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet said Sunday that he is ready to lose his seat if that's what is necessary to pass a health care reform bill.

Washington (CNN) – A freshman Democratic senator said Sunday that he will support his party’s efforts to pass health care reform legislation even if that means losing his seat in next year’s midterm elections.

“If you get to the final point and you are a critical vote for health care reform and every piece of evidence tells you if you support the bill you will lose your job, would you cast the vote and lose your job?” CNN’s John King asked Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado on Sunday’s State of the Union.

“Yes,” Bennet bluntly and simply replied.

Bennet was appointed by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter to replace Sen. Ken Salazar, who stepped down from the Senate to serve as President Obama’s Interior Secretary. Bennet, who was superintendent of the Denver public school system prior to his appointment, will have to seek election to the seat for the first time in 2010.

Related: West is tough terrain for Democrats

(CNN) – Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado already has half a dozen Republican candidates who say they'll challenge him next year when he's up for election.

Now, he has a challenger from his own party as well.

Former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff is expected to officially announce his bid for the Democratic Senate nomination, with a formal announcement scheduled for Pueblo this morning, followed by events later in the day in Colorado Springs and Denver.

Bennet was considered by many to be a surprise choice by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter to replace Sen. Ken Salazar, who stepped down from his seat in January to serve as President Barack Obama's Interior Secretary. Bennet, who was superintendent of the Denver public school system, will have to defend the seat next year.

Bennet replaces Salazar, above, Obama's choice for interior secretary.

(CNN) - President-elect Barack Obama Saturday praised Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's choice of Michael Bennet as that state's next senator, saying Bennet reflects "the qualities of the ruggedly independent state."

Ritter officially announced his choice at a Denver press conference Saturday.

"Filling Ken Salazar's boots in the US Senate is a tall order. But in selecting Michael Bennet, Governor Ritter has made an excellent choice," Obama said in a statement released by his transition office.

"Michael Bennet perfectly reflects the qualities of the ruggedly independent state he has been chosen to serve. An innovator in the public and private sectors, he has shown himself willing to challenge old thinking and stale policies," Obama also said.

Bennet, the Denver Public Schools Superintendent, replaces Sen. Ken Salazar, Obama's choice to be interior secretary.

Ritter had narrowed down his choice to either Bennet or the popular Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, and made his final decision on New Years Day, according to reports.

In the news conference Saturday, Ritter said Bennet is "exactly who we need representing Colorado."

"Michael has this unique set of personal and professional experiences that make him the right choice for Colorado," Ritter said, according to CNN Denver affiliate KUSA.

Obama tapped Salazar for interior secretary.

(CNN) - Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet is Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's pick to replace Sen. Ken Salazar, according to several media reports.

Ritter is expected to name Bennet to the position on Saturday, according to Denver media outlets.

Salazar, a first term senator, is President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be Interior Secretary and is expected to easily be confirmed by the Senate.

Ritter had narrowed down his choice to either Bennet or the popular Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, and made his final decision on New Years Day, according to the reports.

Ritter's office would not confirm the report to CNN.

UPDATE: Ritter's office has announced the Governor will name his Senate choice Saturday in a 4 p.m. ET news conference.