Sec. of State applicants have A-list references

Several of the 20 candidates for Colorado's Secretary of State have some heavy hitters backing them.

TV talk show host and 1990 Democratic Secretary of State nominee Aaron Harber offered former U.S. Sens. Gary Hart (D-Kittredge) and Hank Brown (R-Denver) as references on his application.

Joseph Poche, vice president of operations at Physicians Management Information Services, Inc., can more than match Harber when it comes to A-list backers: the Denver resident lists 1992 and 1996 presidential candidate Ross Perot and U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) as references.

Poche stated on his application that he's married to Grassley's best friend's daughter.

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D-Denver) offered three Republican state legislators as references on his application: state Rep. Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs), outgoing state Rep. Rob Witwer (R- Golden), and outgoing state Sen. Steve Johnson (R-Fort Collins).

State Rep. Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction) listed lobbyist Peg Ackerman, Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Janice Rich (R), and State Treasurer Cary Kennedy (D-Denver) as references.

Scott Gessler, a Denver attorney who's one of the few Republicans to apply, listed U.S. Election Assistance Commission Vice-Chair Donetta Davidson, former Colorado Secretary of State Gigi Dennis (R), and U.S. Rep.-elect Mike Coffman (R-Aurora) as references.