January 23, 2006 09:00 AM UTC

Geography a Disadvantage for Some Young Republican "Rock Stars"

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• by: Colorado Pols

The Rocky Mountain News has an interesting look at four young Republican lawmakers who may be the future of the state GOP: Reps. Josh Penry, Rob Witwer, Cory Gardner and Matt Knoedler.

…[Penry] is among a handful of first-term lawmakers who have Republican Party leaders salivating. They see a deep bench to tap over the next decade for statewide and congressional offices.

The question is how far those on the Republican JV team want to go. Some admit they are still learning the art of balancing a political life with raising a family and making a living.

Republicans are certainly in a good position to have four young legislators that they can move up, but there is one disadvantage in regards to where they are from: only Knoedler, and to a lesser extent Witwer, live in a highly populated area of Colorado.

Population changes in Colorado over the last decade have moved the voter registration advantage decidely towards the Front Range, where 80% of Colorado voters now reside. In another ten years, or perhaps less, the Front Range could have such a voter registration advantage over the rest of the state that any candidate for statewide election not from that area will be at an immediate disadvantage.

Penry is mentioned in the News article as a potential U.S. Senator some day, but by the time he’s ready to run for an office like that, being on the Western Slope will likely be a serious hindrance. Penry is certainly in a good position to run for congress some day, as is Gardner, but Knoedler and Witwer are the two who are geographically positioned for a run at statewide office.