President (To Win Colorado)
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(D) Kamala Harris
(R) Donald Trump
80%↑
20%
CO-01 (Denver)
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(D) Diana DeGette*
(R) V. Archuleta
98%
2%
CO-02 (Boulder-ish)
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(D) Joe Neguse*
(R) Marshall Dawson
95%
5%
CO-03 (West & Southern CO)
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(R) Jeff Hurd
(D) Adam Frisch
50%
50%
CO-04 (Northeast-ish Colorado)
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(R) Lauren Boebert
(D) Trisha Calvarese
90%
10%
CO-05 (Colorado Springs)
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(R) Jeff Crank
(D) River Gassen
80%
20%
CO-06 (Aurora)
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(D) Jason Crow*
(R) John Fabbricatore
90%
10%
CO-07 (Jefferson County)
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(D) B. Pettersen
(R) Sergei Matveyuk
90%
10%
CO-08 (Northern Colo.)
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(D) Yadira Caraveo
(R) Gabe Evans
52%↑
48%↓
State Senate Majority
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
80%
20%
State House Majority
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
95%
5%
July 19, 2009 08:01 PM UTC
23 Comments
I’m sure he’s trying to avoid getting pinned with the “ambitious political ladder climber” tag, but it’s exactly like JFG says: Penry’s hands will be largely tied next year during the legislative session.
One thing this article fails to grasp, though, is that 527 and non-candidate committees, rather than the candidates themselves, are going to be the biggest spenders in the gubernatorial campaign.
Still, it’s going to be tough for Penry to meet all the commitments necessary to be both a senator and a statewide candidate. He’ll undoubtedly have to miss votes to go campaigning down south or on the western slope, which could give ammo to Scott McInnis in the primary (“Penry missed more votes than any other Senator. If he’s this ambitious as a legislator, what can we expect from him as Governor?” [slow pan shows empty chair at the governor’s desk. Fade out.]) as well as Governor Ritter in the general.
It is not like he makes much money in the Senate, so why give your opponent an opportunity to exploit this “issue.”
If so, he could hold the seat till late December then “revisit the issue” and decide that the best thing is to resign then.
He’s not rich so his legislative salary matters. On the plus side, it means he’s not on the take 🙂
First never put your feet in concrete.
A simple I will consult with my caucus would have been enough.
Second never give your primary opponent the hook to say you may not run.
Third what do you do when either Senator Refro, Lundberg, Schultheis wake up one day and realize they have not gotten enough press attention and decide to do something about it. Penry cannot control his caucus and many of the GOP Senators will happily say or do anything to get their name in the paper. Not a good thing for an aspiring Governor seeking to reach out to Democrats.
Penry may not be ready for prime time after all.
As Penry works through the difficulty of trying to be minority leader and campaign, and as he watches McInnis raise money that he won’t be able raise during the session – he just might change his mind. I think its noble, but unrealistic that he wants to keep his seat and not resign. Too many folks resigning these days. Its bad for democracy. In the end however, I think Penry will have to do the same.
If Penry resigned then someone could replace him who would be able to be a full-time senator. If Penry decides to keep his seat just in case he doesn’t get elected governor, then he’s doing a disservice to his constituents by not being able to serve them 100% of the time.
This move isn’t about nobility, it’s about Josh Penry covering his bases.
When Ritter didn’t raise squat the word was that it didn’t matter because the govs race was heavy on 527 money. I didn’t buy that then but that was the conventional wisdom. Now when Penry will have obvious fundraising issues it’s a story?
that Ritter’s fundraising was weak a year and a half before the election (but seems to be picking up now). Penry is tying his hands during the run-up to the state convention and will only have three months to campaign full time before the primary.
When was the last time anyone was elected governor that wasn’t from the front range? John Love was from Colo. Springs. Everyone since has been from the Denver metro. Anyone know their Colorado history?
but Roy Romer, though he’d lived on the Front Range for some time, wasn’t really from the Front Range. But Texan Bill Owens’ political base was in Aurora and Wisconsinite Dick Lamm’s was in south Denver.
He was from Maybell. Also served as Senator. The Johnson Tunnel on I-70 is named after him.
ago. I think this is not coincidental. This posting hints at some of the practical problems that someone can have with seeking statewide office from the hinterlands. I think this will be a big as problem for Penry as anything.
I understand the issues of how it can look moving to denver while being a state senator from somewhere else, but isn’t Penry’s move smart so he can have that central base and build up his support in the urban areas?
After a hugely successful campaign kickoff announcement, a statewide tour with out of control press coverage and an overall impressive impression of how Penry will run a campaign, this is all you people have? Grasping at straws to say the least.
How about Ritter resigns as governor (how can he be governor while campaigning to be governor?!), McInnis resigns his $500,000/year salary job at Hogan and Hartson and Penry resigns so they can all campaign for the job without neglecting their current jobs?
The argument is absurd.
I’m not sure what your argument is.
Penry won’t be able to raise money during the legislative session. Are you saying that’s a benefit to him?
whatever Josh told him it should be.
He’s completely full of shit.
State officials can’t raise funds from lobbyists and the people who employ them during the session.
The difference is more a matter of time available for campaigning. During the first four months of next year, Ritter will have a lot more say over his own schedule than Penry will over his. McInnis, for what it’s worth, won’t face either the fundraising restrictions or state business setting his schedule.
When people say it’s not the money, it usually is, but in this case, I think those who say “it’s not the money,” are right.
Look, the issue is that Penry is a novice at this level, and he didn’t have a great session last year. His caucus ran amok, and he [was unable to] refused to control it. He needs (at least) a year in which he can demonstrate that he can actually govern something. I think it will take more than a single year (more like 10!), but his performance as a leader in the 2010 session will make or break the campaign.
If he governs the Colorado that presumes itself to be “center right,” he’ll have a shot, and the money will come in from moderate Republicans. If he “governs” like he did last year, “trickle down” will be an apt description of his war chest only, and Ritter can rest safely among the PURPLE mountain majesty of our state.
this is all Palin’s fault. Penry will hang on to his office no matter the cost, terrified of being labeled another GOP goldbricking defeatist quitter! That and, as mentioned above, the fact of his addiction to the nanny state, which he has been suckling his entire adult life. Clearly in these difficult times, the state must work to rein in costs by asking Penry to step down immediately.
If they move their domicile, for example, from Grand Junction to Denver, they can’t serve as a state senator from Grand Junction because their domicile is no longer within that West Slope senate district. Sen. Penry better keep the fmaily in Grand Junction until the end of the legislative session next year. If he doesn’t handle this correctly, there could be a question about whether he has to leave his seat before he wants to.
I have been hearing rumors he put his home up for sale. Can anyone confirm this?
State constitution says a candidate must live in the district for 12 months prior to the election.
Nothing much in there about after the election.
From Article V:
If you find anything else, let me know, because this is a subject of interest to me.