Should Gardner, Penry Resign To Campaign?

19 Comments

by: Colorado Pols

The Pueblo Chieftain asks the next logical question:

During the final two days of last week, after the 120-day session ended on Wednesday, lawmakers were busy clearing their desks, some for the last time.

Senate President Peter Groff, D-Denver, Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, Rep. Gwyn Green, D-Golden, have all announced their resignations for one reason or another. Longtime Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, too, may be leaving for a post with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It’s also unknown whether Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, or Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Fruita, will return next session. Late last week, Gardner announced his bid to run for Congress in an attempt to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey. He may chose not to return next year because it would take time away from his primary battle with Tom Lucero for the Republican nomination during the summer of 2010.

Penry may run for the GOP nomination for governor against former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis. Because state lawmakers are barred by law from accepting campaign contributions when the Legislature is in session, Penry may decide to step down before the 2010 session next winter…

It’s a tough question for legislators aspiring to higher office, particularly given fundraising restrictions on them during the 2010 session: a critical time for both building name ID, which being in the legislature helps, and raising the cash they need to run–which obviously isn’t helped. It can help signal commitment to the race, though, useful in the primaries both candidates anticipate.

Perhaps the question shouldn’t be should they resign, but do they both need to resign in order to be competitive in larger races. Of the two candidates, Gardner is the one who probably has the greater need to resign. Penry can at least keep himself in the spotlight thanks to his Senate Minority Leader post, and most of the money spent in any statewide race comes from 527 committees – money that will be raised for Penry’s gubernatorial hopes without his input. As for Gardner, he faces a larger primary field, and he doesn’t get that much benefit out of being a minority state representative anyway.

A poll of the question as it specifically relates to Gardner and Penry follows.

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19 thoughts on “Should Gardner, Penry Resign To Campaign?”

adam.kretz says:

May 11, 2009 at 6:42 pm

I don’t think legislators should be obligated to resign were they to run for higher office. I think that strategically, though, it shows a dedication to the campaign and allows a greater focus on fundraising and traveling the district.

Arizona has a “resign to run” rule. I think that Colorado’s fundraising restrictions during the session strikes a nice balance between this and a complete lack of restrictions.

My bet: Gardner resigns. Penry doesn’t.

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1. RedGreen says:
  
  May 11, 2009 at 7:27 pm
  
  Can Penry raise enough money before the session to run a campaign?
  
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  1. adam.kretz says:
    
    May 11, 2009 at 7:35 pm
    
    He’ll have to declare very soon, I would think. I just can’t see him giving up his leadership post, he thinks he’s too good at it.
    
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MiddleRoadDem says:

May 11, 2009 at 8:09 pm

They’re Republicans, so who cares? The more they spend time during the session next year on legislative matters means they have less/no time for campaigning and fundraising. This is a good thing!

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One Queer Dude says:

May 11, 2009 at 8:35 pm

but don’t Gardner and Penry have the same problems that Joan Fitz Gerald had last year, esp. Penry?

They won’t be able to raise money next winter, the time constraints of being in session will cut into their campaigning for assembly delegates, and as legislators, they’ll be forced to vote on some controversial stuff.

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1. Colorado Pols says:
  
  May 11, 2009 at 8:39 pm
  
  That’s what we’re asking – it’s more about whether they should resign for strategic reasons, not whether there is a moral obligation.
  
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jW says:

May 11, 2009 at 9:35 pm

I said no. If Penry resigns and loses the election next year, he will have given up his leadership position and will have to begin looking for new ways to stay in the lime light. I have no doubt, given his youth and resume, that he would run for another statewide spot in ’12 or ’14 given a chance.

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1. RedGreen says:
  
  May 11, 2009 at 9:45 pm
  
  Step down temporarily to (serve in Iraq) (run for governor) and then get appointed back to the seat?
  
  (I know Coffman resigned one seat and got appointed to another, which opened via another resignation, and then later resigned the seat after winning election, but there aren’t as many offices for Penry to play musical appointments.)
  
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  1. jW says:
    
    May 11, 2009 at 9:59 pm
    
    But in Penry’s case, I actually think being able to go head to head with Ritter on legislative issues at the capitol will be beneficial to his campaign. He will have the voice of the party and the platform to speak on. If he can actually get something done in session and keep his party in line, Ritter could be in trouble.
    
    In Gardner’s case, thinking about it, he should resign. He’s got one shot at Markey. If he doesn’t take her down in 2010, the party won’t let him try again.
    
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  2. One Queer Dude says:
    
    May 12, 2009 at 2:40 am
    
    Coffman temporarily left Treasury to go to Iraq, then returned and reclaimed the office from the hapless Mark Hillman.
    
    Penry can’t take a LOA from the state senate, but if the Mesa County GOP were to cooperate, he could “resign” and allow a seat warmer to hold his seat until Dec. ’10.
    
    If Penry is not elected Guv, then the seat warmer could step aside and allow Josh to be appointed to finish his own unexpired term!
    
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    1. ardy39 says:
      
      May 12, 2009 at 7:43 am
      
      If Penry would like to hold his Senate seat he will need to defend it during 2010. I’m pretty sure he can’t simultaneously run for state senate and governor. But then, he’ll be running for a senate seat in Mesa County, and the fine people of that county may not have any trouble with this strategy!
      
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      1. Ralphie says:
        
        May 12, 2009 at 7:41 pm
        
        Who do the Mesa County Dems have to run against Penry?
        
        Josh is so well-liked here he can win even AWOL.
        
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2. gertie97 says:
  
  May 11, 2009 at 11:15 pm
  
  Star QB at Mesa State, flack for then-Rep. McInnis, then the legislature, where he has accomplished very little
  
  I think he’ll run for another Senate term next year, a slam-dunk in Mesa County, and then try to position himself for governor in 2014. All bets are off if John Salazar decides to hang it up.
  
  Penry will still have the resume problem, since his only jobs have been on the public dole. That’s an odd history for a right-wing Republican to try to win statewide.
  
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  1. adam.kretz says:
    
    May 12, 2009 at 12:34 am
    
    Hmmm. I like the Dems’ odds.
    
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    1. gertie97 says:
      
      May 12, 2009 at 1:44 am
      
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3. One Queer Dude says:
  
  May 12, 2009 at 2:36 am
  
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WesternSlopeThought says:

May 12, 2009 at 1:33 am

Everyone knows it’s about ego and ambition with Penry. As wrong on issues and as of little benefit he’s been for his constituents and the people of Colorado in the Senate, combined with his total lack of leadership skills, I’m sure there would be absolutely no one who’d miss him in the legislature.

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1. One Queer Dude says:
  
  May 12, 2009 at 2:45 am
  
  Since Hillman left, Penry is probably the only remaining fringe right winger who presents well in public as minority leader.
  
  Exclude the three RINO (White, Kester and Spence) and the GOP is left with stuff like Schultheis, Renfroe, Lundberg, Cadman and Kopp.
  
  None of these is the face the GOP wants the public to see.
  
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LarryB says:

May 12, 2009 at 8:18 am

I don’t agree that legislators should be compelled to resign were they intend to run for higher office/position. I think that strategically, though, it shows a dedication to the campaign and allows a greater focus on fund raising and traveling the district. Serving the country is an important job. I just hope they’ll continue to do good to their people. In relation to political issues, just recently, President Obama’s has a program to be implemented called “Cash For Clunkers”. It appeared to be a promising plan to spur new car sales by enabling car dealerships to take in older cars at better trade value. It is economical and environmental since it promotes getting rid of old, non-green vehicles. Also, the program is likely to be included with a further climate change bill, aimed to reduce carbon emissions and perhaps institute cap and trade legislation. A healthier earth is fast becoming a priority among the industrial nations. The Cash for Clunkers program is almost like a cash advance and cash repair for mother earth.

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