Today, my good friend Josh Penry bowed out of the race to be Colorado’s next Governor. I am very much disappointed, as what Colorado needs in a Governor is someone who is young, creative, in-tune with the people and someone who is cleaver and thinks outside the box. Here is an excerpt of what Josh emailed to his supporters:
“As you have no doubt heard, I made the difficult choice to leave the race for Governor - a race that me, my family, my team and so many supporters poured our hearts and souls into for nearly 6 months. Politics being what it is, some yahoo got word of my decision and decided to tell the Washington Post before I could tell many of my closest friends -- or even my employer at Home Loan and Investment, Company. Needless to say, I'll be on the phone all day for a couple days saying, with all the sincerity of a grateful heart, thank you to those who stood with us.
Word jumped out quick yesterday; that's politics I guess. And that's OK. Truth is, it is a tough business. I know that. In fact, one of the reasons our campaign was making such fantastic progress is I relish the fight. Maybe it's the old quarterback in me - I live for the fray, for the arena. You don't run for Governor at 33 by being bashful or timid.
But I'm also a person who keeps his eyes wide open - a good pilot is always looking at the instruments. And in the aftermath of last Tuesday's crushing Republican victories in New Jersey and Virginia, this much became certain: Republicans stand poised to make-up much of the ground we've lost, as the American people are being reminded in a profound way of the perils of big government once more.
In Colorado the chances for Republican recovery are real. Quite literally, if Republicans are strong and smart, we can make up the ground we've lost in this State in the last 6 years.”
The line-up of candidates running for Colorado offices on the Republican side has gotten very interesting:
Governor: Scott McInnis, however another former congressman, Tom Tancredo, will be announcing his bid for governor very soon. With Penry’s exit the fear from the far right is that McInnis won’t be tough in opposing gay rights, abortion, and illegal immigration. Tancredo will more than likely divide the Republican vote and help Ritter win re-election, but at least the Tancredo supporters will feel good about sticking to a principled candidate, while Ritter continues to error our principles, morals, life style, and net worth. I wonder if Ritter will use George Harrison’s song, the Tax Man, as his re-election theme song. He should, as it completely fits him. Watch out, his next tax will be against the feel of every Coloradoan.
US Senate: Jane Norton (former Lt. Governor of Colo.)
US Rep. Dist. 3: Scott Tipton (Colo. Rep. from HD 58) and Martin Beeson (District Attorney from Glenwood Springs)
US Rep. Dist. 4: Corry Gardner (GOP leader in the Colorado House of Representatives).
US Rep. Dist. 7: Ryan Frazier (African American and Aurora City Councilman)
State Treasurer: W.R. Stapleton and J.J. Ament
Secretary of State: Scott Gessler (attorney specializing in campaign and election law)
Attorney General: John Suthers
Colo. Senate Dist. 7: Steve King (Colo. Rep. from HD 54)
Colo. Senate Dist. 5: Bob Rankin and Wayne Wolf
Colo. House Dist. 54: Bob Hislop, Duncan McArthur and Ray Scott
Colo. House Dist. 58: Don Coram
Where does this leave Josh Penry? Josh needs to get back into the fight and be in a position to capitalize on the momentum which he was gaining during his bid for governor. A good position would be for him to run for either US Congress against John Salazar or against Steve King to regain his seat in the Colorado State Senate. If Josh does nothing, he will be out of the political limelight for a minimum of 2 to 4 years and could be a major setback in his career as a politician.
“As you have no doubt heard, I made the difficult choice to leave the race for Governor - a race that me, my family, my team and so many supporters poured our hearts and souls into for nearly 6 months. Politics being what it is, some yahoo got word of my decision and decided to tell the Washington Post before I could tell many of my closest friends -- or even my employer at Home Loan and Investment, Company. Needless to say, I'll be on the phone all day for a couple days saying, with all the sincerity of a grateful heart, thank you to those who stood with us.
Word jumped out quick yesterday; that's politics I guess. And that's OK. Truth is, it is a tough business. I know that. In fact, one of the reasons our campaign was making such fantastic progress is I relish the fight. Maybe it's the old quarterback in me - I live for the fray, for the arena. You don't run for Governor at 33 by being bashful or timid.
But I'm also a person who keeps his eyes wide open - a good pilot is always looking at the instruments. And in the aftermath of last Tuesday's crushing Republican victories in New Jersey and Virginia, this much became certain: Republicans stand poised to make-up much of the ground we've lost, as the American people are being reminded in a profound way of the perils of big government once more.
In Colorado the chances for Republican recovery are real. Quite literally, if Republicans are strong and smart, we can make up the ground we've lost in this State in the last 6 years.”
The line-up of candidates running for Colorado offices on the Republican side has gotten very interesting:
Governor: Scott McInnis, however another former congressman, Tom Tancredo, will be announcing his bid for governor very soon. With Penry’s exit the fear from the far right is that McInnis won’t be tough in opposing gay rights, abortion, and illegal immigration. Tancredo will more than likely divide the Republican vote and help Ritter win re-election, but at least the Tancredo supporters will feel good about sticking to a principled candidate, while Ritter continues to error our principles, morals, life style, and net worth. I wonder if Ritter will use George Harrison’s song, the Tax Man, as his re-election theme song. He should, as it completely fits him. Watch out, his next tax will be against the feel of every Coloradoan.
US Senate: Jane Norton (former Lt. Governor of Colo.)
US Rep. Dist. 3: Scott Tipton (Colo. Rep. from HD 58) and Martin Beeson (District Attorney from Glenwood Springs)
US Rep. Dist. 4: Corry Gardner (GOP leader in the Colorado House of Representatives).
US Rep. Dist. 7: Ryan Frazier (African American and Aurora City Councilman)
State Treasurer: W.R. Stapleton and J.J. Ament
Secretary of State: Scott Gessler (attorney specializing in campaign and election law)
Attorney General: John Suthers
Colo. Senate Dist. 7: Steve King (Colo. Rep. from HD 54)
Colo. Senate Dist. 5: Bob Rankin and Wayne Wolf
Colo. House Dist. 54: Bob Hislop, Duncan McArthur and Ray Scott
Colo. House Dist. 58: Don Coram
Where does this leave Josh Penry? Josh needs to get back into the fight and be in a position to capitalize on the momentum which he was gaining during his bid for governor. A good position would be for him to run for either US Congress against John Salazar or against Steve King to regain his seat in the Colorado State Senate. If Josh does nothing, he will be out of the political limelight for a minimum of 2 to 4 years and could be a major setback in his career as a politician.
