Penry's out

Whoa. I figured the field would winnow, but not this early. But why, Josh? Why?

A source within Penry's campaign said there had been "back channel" meetings with both campaigns and the candidates since Election Day on Tuesday, the day Republicans won the New Jersey and Virginia governor races. Penry felt unseating Colorado's sitting Democratic governor was too important to risk an acrimonious primary, the campaign source said.

Additionally, Penry was facing fundraising challenges, especially with big money names in the state expected to start a powerful independent political committee not restricted by campaign finance limits. That message was sent to Penry, sources close to the campaign said.

The party decides again