Bernie Buescher, a moderate Grand Junction Democrat, has the makings of a fine secretary of state.
He’s affable, has a head for complicated matters and has demonstrated an ability to work with those of any political stripe.
While we were vocal backers of House Speaker Andrew Romanoff getting the job, we think Gov. Bill Ritter made a wise choice in appointing Buescher.
Buescher faces no easy task in managing elections in this era of changing voting technology, close electoral contests and hyper-partisanship.
On top of that, elections aren’t the only thing the secretary of state has to worry about. He will have an eclectic mix of other responsibilities, including enforcing laws about business filings, and licensing bingo and raffles.
However, the biggest challenge for prior secretaries of state seems to have centered on keeping politics at arm’s length while having working relationships with interested parties.
Gigi Dennis, a Republican who was Colorado’s secretary of state for about a year, never seemed able to completely rid herself of partisan leanings.
In the run-up to the 2006 elections, she continued to make campaign finance rule changes that clearly were to Republican advantage. Her rulings were rebuked by a trial judge and an appeals panel.
We certainly hope Buescher won’t go down that road, and we have no reason to think he will. Politically tainted decisions will sink his credibility.
Bolstering electoral credibility during these highly partisan times also must be part of Buescher’s mission.
He gave a clear indication of his willingness to take a step in that direction when he talked about forging cooperative relationships with county clerks. It’s important for the secretary of state to have strong partnerships with those who actually administer elections on the county level.
Colorado is a diverse state, and the demands of putting on an election in La Junta may very well be quite different from conducting one in Denver. Given that Buescher hails from the Western Slope, he would seem to have a leg up in understanding the government landscape beyond Denver and the Front Range.
Buescher, who has a law degree, was chairman of an aviation company, a two-term legislator and chairman of the Joint Budget Committee and House Appropriations Committee.
His nomination now goes to the state Senate for confirmation. We trust lawmakers will waste no time in giving the thumbs-up to this capable public servant.
