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MEIS, ROWLAND, HAUTZINGER SUPPORT PENRY

February 7, 2006

OPEN LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR JOSH PENRY FROM 
CRAIG MEIS * PETE HAUTZINGER * JANET ROWLAND 
 
February 7, 2006 
 
Dear Republican Friend, 
 
We are writing to encourage you to join with us, and 
citizens all over Western Colorado, in supporting Josh 
Penry for State Senate. 
 
It’s hard to believe, but the election season is fast 
approaching, with precinct caucuses about 6 weeks away.  
This year, Western Colorado faces a key decision: we are 
electing our voice in the Colorado State Senate. This is a 
crucial election that we take very seriously. 
 
We believe that Josh Penry’s record of leadership and 
accomplishment makes him the clear choice for the State 
Senate. Now more than ever, we need principled leaders 
like Josh Penry in the Senate. 
 
We do not make this decision lightly. Representative 
Penry’s opponent in the Republican Primary, Matt Smith, is 
an honorable man whom each of us have supported in other 
campaigns in the past. The voters of Western Colorado are 
fortunate to have two solid choices in this pivotal race. 
 
But when you size up the choice, we believe strongly that 
Josh Penry is the strongest and best candidate during this 
crucial contest – so strongly that we are co-chairing 
Josh’s State Senate campaign. There are three important 
reasons why Josh should be our Senator. 
 
First, Josh Penry has shown he knows how to get things done 
in the Legislature. As our State Representative, Josh 
passed a number of critical pieces of legislation, even 
with Democrats controlling both the State House and the 
Senate. Josh went to the Capitol to advocate for us and to 
solve problems, and that’s exactly what he’s done. Josh 
passed landmark water legislation immediately, a bill 
described as the most important water law in 50 years. He 
passed legislation to create new markets for Colorado 
farmers, ranchers and fruit growers, as well as first of 
its kind legislation in the nation that would help fix 
fatal flaws in the forest Roadless policy authored by Bill 
Clinton. Newspapers all over Colorado have singled out 
Josh for his ability to get things done in the legislative 
process; leaders in the Republican Party have quickly 
elevated Josh’s role in the Capitol, appointing him to the 
Appropriations Committee and other critical panels.  
Because the Western Slope only has a few votes in the 
Senate, it is critical that we send our best and most 
effective legislator to the Senate – that’s Josh Penry. 
 
Second, Josh has demonstrated he’s a principled leader who 
sticks to his word and stands by his values. Even if you 
don’t always agree with Josh, you always know where Josh 
Penry stands. Josh isn’t swayed by the latest opinion 
polls, and he doesn’t need the media to tell him what he 
believes. Clearly, we need more elected officials like 
Josh Penry who say what they believe and vote the same way 
when the pressure is at its highest in the State Capitol. 
 
Third and finally, Josh is the candidate that can unite the 
Republican Party going into November. It’s no secret that 
the Mesa County Republican Party has been all too divided 
in recent election cycles, but Josh Penry transcends those 
divisions. Josh has supporters from all portions the 
Republican Party and all corners of this community. For 
our part, the three of us have our own differences in 
political philosophy. But we all agree that Josh Penry’s 
brand of principled leadership is the right formula to 
re-unite the Republican Party heading into the fall 
elections. 
 
For all these reasons, we ask you to join us in supporting 
Josh Penry. Josh’s ability to get things done in the 
Capitol, his commitment to standing by his principles, and 
his capacity to unite the Republican Party heading into 
November make him our choice for the Senate. We hope you 
will join us! 
 
Sincerely, 
 
 
 
 
Janet Rowland, County Commissioner 
Craig Meis, County Commissioner 
Pete Hautzinger, District Attorney 
 
 
 
PS – If you would like to volunteer for Josh’s campaign 
(e.g. put a sign in your yard, a bumper sticker on your 
car, walk in a parade, etc.), drop a note into the enclosed 
envelope and let Josh know. Or you can email Josh at 
j.penry@bresnan.net. We’d be grateful if you joined us in 
supporting Josh Penry for State Senate and feel free to 
visit him at www.joshpenry.com 
 
 
 
 
* Paid for by Friends of Josh Penry, P.O. Box 1604 Grand 
Junction, CO 81502