December 31, 2009 08:20 PM UTC

BREAKING: Penry Won't Run for Re-Election

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• by: ClubTwitty

(Updated, with poll… – promoted by ClubTwitty)

Breaking news just up at the Sentinel:

Penry won’t seek re-election to state Senate; his future unclear

State Sen. Josh Penry will not seek re-election to the Colorado Senate, the Republican Grand Junction lawmaker confirmed today.

Penry, who recently dropped out of a bid for the GOP nomination for governor, confirmed in an email to the Daily Sentinel that he was now telling friends and family that the 2010 session would be his last.

He offered no word yet on what his future plans would be.

The announcement clears the way for Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, to seek his seat, and a slew of candidates who are vying to replace King in the Colorado House.

Now the speculation begins–what is the story behind the story?

UPDATE-From the Denver Post:

State Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry won’t run for re-election next year, but will serve out the final year of his term.

The Grand Junction Republican plans to help one-time rival Scott McInnis with his gubernatorial campaign, and help fellow Republicans take back the legislature.

One attribute always connected to Josh Penry has been ambition.  I heard it about Josh before he worked for Congressman Scott McInnis…’This is a guy to watch.’

He was first elected to the state House in 2004, then won a state Senate seat in 2006. As a freshman senator, he played a crucial role in education and energy legislation, which is one reason his colleagues elected him the GOP minority leader.

Penry was following his path to power as apparently planned, but something changed.

Penry announced his campaign for governor in the summer, but unexpectedly dropped out in November, saying he feared a nasty GOP primary would make it easier for Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter to win re-election and harder for Republicans to win legislative seats.

Earlier this week, Penry shot down rumors he would be McInnis’ running mate, saying he’s never been interested in being lieutenant governor. He said then he wants to help a new governor “shape and execute an agenda after the election.”

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