September 18, 2013 07:52 AM UTC

It's Official: Honey Badger for Governor!

by: Colorado Pols

FOX 31's Eli Stokols reports on last night's not-so-surprise announcement that Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler is running for Governor in 2014, instead of re-election to his post as the "Honey Badger" of Colorado elections:

“Going around the state, talking to people and just thinking about it myself, I really got a sense of just how bad the last legislative session was,” Gessler told FOX31 Denver Tuesday afternoon…

Gessler, nicknamed “Honey Badger” by his detractors for pursuing brash reforms aimed at reducing voter fraud, has been a lightning rod for criticism by Democrats — he’s arguably the most high profile Secretary of State Colorado has seen in some time.

But he believes, of the other candidates in the field, he’s got the best chance of unifying the Republican Party.

Because Gessler has come to a Stuart Smalley-like realization! He's good enough, and smart enough, and doggone it…

“Folks from across the entire spectrum of the Republican Party like me,” Gessler said. [Pols emphasis] “They respect what I’ve done. I haven’t alienated any wing of this party; and people know who I am. I’ve got a record of achievement no one else can match.”

Scott Gessler enters the GOP gubernatorial primary as the only candidate to have won a statewide election, defeating Democratic appointed incumbent Bernie Buescher in 2010. But Gessler also has some of the worst, and most recent baggage in the race after losing his ethics case over misuse of his office's discretionary fund–not to mention his almost continuous spate of controversies, personal and professional, since taking office.

Visiting Gessler's new campaign website, we're greeted by a headshot of the candidate that–we just need to say this so it's off our chest–scares children. We've posted it after the jump, with comparisons. It's all about the lighting.

And for the record, Gessler for Governor? You heard that here first — last November.

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