Gov. Bill Ritter nominated Grand Junction Democrat and outgoing state lawmaker Bernie Buescher for secretary of state Friday, ending six weeks of deliberations over the soon-to-be-vacant seat.
Pending state Senate confirmation, the appointment would mark the first time in 45 years that a Democrat has held the office responsible for overseeing elections, lobbyist registration and business filings.
Buescher, 59, promised to build stronger relationships with county clerks, establish a more user-friendly website and improve office morale.
A veteran lawmaker and ally of Ritter, Buescher rose from an initial field of 20 candidates after he lost his re-election bid for the state House in November.
“This is a great opportunity, and there’s a lot of work to be done,” Buescher said. “I will work hard, and I will do my best.”
He adds a Western Slope voice to a cadre of state officials who largely hail from Denver and the metro area.
An accountant and businessman by trade, Buescher formerly headed the legislature’s powerful Joint Budget Committee. He was next in line for the House speakership before his loss in House District 55.
His support of the governor’s mill-levy freeze and severance-tax hike in the heavily Republican district helped sink his chance for a third term.
While he has no day-to-day elections experience, his former budgeting role in the legislature will come in handy when the state needs to spend on election improvements, said Pam Anderson, Jefferson County clerk and recorder.
“He has a very pragmatic approach and a statewide perspective on how policy affects local government,” Anderson said. “I’m sure he’s going to take that perspective with him to the secretary of state’s office.”
He enters as the temporary certification of the state’s electronic voting machines is set to expire in July. A reform commission has formed to decide how to conduct future elections.
He also takes charge of an office criticized by watchdog groups as overly political.
His predecessor, U.S. Rep.-elect Mike Coffman, leaves office Dec. 31.
Lawmakers, clerks and Coffman tangled over voting-machine certification and paper balloting ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
Buescher’s former House colleagues from across the aisle lauded him as the best of Ritter’s options.
He beat out outgoing state Sen. Ken Gordon, who ran for the office in 2006 and was heavily involved in crafting election policy before facing term limits. Outgoing House Speaker Andrew Romanoff also was one of the three finalists recommended to Ritter by a panel he created.
Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, served with Buescher on the House Appropriations Committee.
“Bernie was always willing to listen to differing points of view. Where we were able to reach consensus, he tried to,” McNulty said. “I think he will live up to the tradition that previous secretaries of state have set related to upholding the law and not engaging in blatant partisan activity.”
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
