Ritter Names Buescher As Secretary of State

Gov. Bill Ritter today selected State Rep. Bernie Buescher as Colorado's secretary of state.

Buescher, a Democrat from Grand Junction, lost his re-election bid for his House seat, but will now have two years to persuade voters statewide to elect him for a full-term in his new job.

The secretary of state oversees the division of elections, as well as corporate registrations and other duties. The current officeholder, Republican Mike Coffman, was elected to Congress to replace Tom Tancredo.

Buescher was selected from among three men leaving the Colorado Legislature. House Speaker Andrew Romanoff is said to be among those still being considered for a U.S. Senate appointment to replace Ken Salazar. State Sen. Ken Gordon narrowly lost election as secretary of state to Coffman two years ago.

The Denver Post