Announcement from Sen. Josh Penry
Dear Friends,
This morning in a small park in Grand Junction I endorsed Scott McInnis to be the next Governor of the State of Colorado.
Experience and new energy are now on the same team, and that's good news for our state, our party, and the cause of conservative reform and good government that Colorado desperately needs.
It's bad news for Bill Ritter and a Democratic legislature that has rubber stamped his big tax, big fee, no drill economic agenda. The Democratic monopoly in Denver has helped usher in the worst economy in 60 years. Soon, it will be their turn to take a number in the unemployment line.
My endorsement of Scott is an enthusiastic one - it comes on the heels of two weeks of talks between Scott and I as well as other leaders in local government, the state legislature, and leading Republican names like Tom Tancredo. Those talks resulted in a common-sense conservative reform agenda that will be unveiled in the coming days - it's a governing vision that will get Colorado's economy moving again, and at long last rally the Colorado Republican Party on the principles and priorities that make us strong. Look for more on that soon.
It also positions Colorado Republicans for a historic comeback in 2010.
On the morning of election day in 2004, Colorado was Republican Country.
The Grand Old Party in the Centennial State claimed a Governor, two United States Senators, five Members of Congress, a state Treasurer, Secretary of State, and a majority in both the State House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate.
By that evening, everything changed. And over the next five plus years, Republicans witnessed a literal electoral collapse, with Democrats taking the Governor's office, both US Senate Seats, five Congressional Districts, the state House, Senate and the Treasurer's and the Secretary of State's office too.
The reasons for our Party's demise are by now well documented: a well-funded, well-organized and highly-motivated Democratic and liberal machine out-smarted and out-maneuvered a Republican Party that was, for its part, divided, undisciplined, and underfunded.
This week, the long march back begins for Colorado Republicans. On the heels of runaway election sweeps in New Jersey and Virginia, Colorado Republicans have a once in a generation chance to return our governing philosophy to a leadership position in Colorado - to defeat an incumbent Governor, to re-establish conservative control of both chambers of the Colorado legislature and in other key seats as well.
And my endorsement of Scott McInnis is one part of that. This election is about something more than personalities and personal ambition - it's about reclaiming this State, and demanding common sense and leadership from government.
I left the Governor's race last week to focus our resources and our common purposes on taking back the electoral real estate we've lost - yes, beating Bill Ritter, but also rallying our resources to make sure we elect conservative reformers to Congress the statehouse and courthouses across Colorado.
It's a little different role then we envisioned five months ago, but it's a critical fight for Colorado. And right after I finish a little turkey and a lot of mashed potatoes with the family, it's a fight that I will wage vigorously.
For his part, Scott is eager to earn your support and vote. Ask him questions and hear him out. My bet is he'll convince you he's the right man to be Governor - like he did me.
Thanks for your time. Best wishes for a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Most Sincerely,
Josh
