STATE BILL COLORADO
Colorado Sen. Josh Penry’s decision to leave the gubernatorial campaign stunned campaign watchers. State Bill rounds up coverage from traditional and new media organizations.

KDVR: In a sudden and surprising move, State senator Josh Penry has dropped out of the race for governor.
9News: State Sen. Josh Penry intends to drop out of the race for governor. “It is more important for Josh that the Republicans win the governor’s race than that he win the race,” said former state Rep. Rob Witwer, a Penry supporter.
The Washington Post: Sources close to Penry suggested that he was heavily influenced by the victories for Republicans in New Jersey and Virginia last week — wins due, at least in part, to the lack of competitive primaries on the Republican side.
The Denver Post: A recent poll showing Penry making no headway against Gov. Bill Ritter was discussed during a meeting with Penry and Western Slope supporters over the weekend, a source said. Although political insiders speculated that Penry may now decide to run for Democratic Rep. John Salazar’s seat in the 3rd District, or possibly for lieutenant governor, the campaign source said “it was too early” to discuss it.
NBC: Penry’s Name ID was only about 15% to 20% statewide, and Penry felt that a 527 and a nasty political fight could have ruined or significantly damaged his reputation and hurt his political capital with Republicans. This path helps Penry, who’s only 33, build up political capital, a source said.
Denver Business Journal: Penry, 33, has been recognized in political circles nationally as a rising star in the Republican Party. Penry’s fundraising has fallen slightly below that of McInnis in the first campaign reporting periods of the campaign.
The Atlantic: Penry is an archetype of a credible, electable conservative — just the type of person you’d think the GOP would want to support — or would want to NOT oppose at the risk of angering conservative activists.
The Colorado Independent: Penry worked for McInnis as a Congressional staffer and never fully succeeded shaking the impression that McInnis had his number. McInnis fueled the impression by appearing unflappable in the face of Penry jabs. McInnis, for example, refused to debate Penry or even to appear in straw poll events with him.
Associated Press: One source said Penry told him Monday that fundraising was a major issue in his race against former congressman Scott McInnis. Another issue is the amount of time it was taking Penry away from his family, that source said.
Rocky Mountain Right: Despite rumors that Penry may become a candidate for CD-3 or Lt. Governor, it is more likely that Penry will not be a candidate for office in 2010.