After his successful Franklin run — his stock was reportedly worth more than $27 million at one point — Bennett followed his father's footsteps, winning a Senate seat in 1992.

Though he hasn't biked around the state like his Senate challenger, Bennett said the groundwork has been laid for this campaign that has more to do with "continue" than "change," his theme 12 years ago. In the past six months, he's been to every county in the state, except Rich, holding town forums and speaking with residents. He'll begin a series of debates with Van Dam next week.

"This time most of the campaign work has been done," Bennett said. "It's not as frantic as it was in 1992, when nobody knew who I was."

Plenty do now, of course.

He's the aerodynamic beanpole who's barely better looking than Honest Abe.

---

E-mail: jody@desnews.com