Former gubernatorial candidate Josh Penry is apparently ruling out joining the Scott McInnis for Governor ticket as a Lt. Governor nominee. Gary Harmon of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports:
State Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, said he isn’t interested in joining the ticket of his onetime rival, Scott McInnis, as the candidate for lieutenant governor.
“If I were hell-bent on being on the ticket, I’d still be in the race,” Penry said last week when asked about reports that he might be interested in the lieutenant governor slot.
Penry, however, didn’t tip his hand on a question that has five Republicans watching closely — his decision whether to run for a second term in the state Senate.
Under state law, a candidate for governor does not have to name a running mate until after the August primary - as Bob Beauprez did with Janet Rowland in 2006. Nonetheless; speculation surrounding several potential McInnis running mates has been heating up in recent weeks, notably state Rep. Amy Stephens of El Paso County.
The Democratic Lt. Governor slot may also be up in the air this year, as a desire on the part of incumbent Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien to pursue other career options was reportedly the catalyst for the Ritter/Bennet-Romanoff slapfight that Democrats are now embroiled in.
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Comments
Good for him
Josh has a very bright future in Colorado politics, and I'm sure he knows what he is doing. Personally, I would like to see a dynamic female on the ticket. Either Stephens or Sally Clark are probably top picks for McInnis. Stephens was a Penry supporter so that could be a good or a bad thing depending on how you look at it.
Susan Beckman
I think Susan Beckman should be McInnis' pick for Lt Gov. She'll help in Arapahoe County where we need it. McInnis will win El Paso County with or without Clark or Stephens.
Stephens all the way!
Although Beckman is a nice lady, she brings absolutely zero to the ticket. Even though she's been an Arapahoe County commissioner, no one in Arapahoe knows who she is. More accurately, she probably will bring the city of Littleton. Additionally, she is a total moderate and is likely left of McInnis. That's saying a lot.
McInnis needs a solid conservative and there's none better than Rep. Stephens. She has credentials that appeal to many on the hard right, but is politically savvy enough not to jump off a cliff with them. She's also a great speaker and passionate and knowledgable about state issues. Not to mention, Stephens was an early and major backer of Penry, which also could help unite more of the party behind McInnis.
I know Clark and Beckman have been part of McInnis' entourage before it was "cool," but seriously they add nothing to that race, which might be a good thing. Either Clark or Beckman would match up very well against O'Brien. Whoever keeps the audience awake the longest would win that Lt. Guv debate.
This is going to be a tough call for McInnis. Does he reward loyalty or actually expand his support base? In all honesty, Beckman and Clark would probably make solid choices for Department heads when McInnis wins. Not as high profile, but would look good on a resume and in their bank accounts.
Re: Stephens all the way!
I disagree. I don't believe we need a Lt Gov in the hard right to win. We tried that in 2006 and it didn't work out too well. We need to look at what demographics we're losing and go after them. I think Beckman would have a better shot than Stephens at it. Like I said, McInnis will win El Paso County with or without Stephens.