Outgoing State Rep. Bernie Buescher (D-Grand Junction), the heir apparent to become Speaker of the House next year until a surprise defeat at the polls earlier this month, has applied to become Secretary of State, News2 is reporting.

Buescher's application will pit him against, among others, outgoing current Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, who also applied for the position on Monday.

"I thought long and hard about it before sending in my application," Buescher told News2 on Monday. "I think my background as an attorney would be well-suited to the position."

Buescher was widely assumed to be Romanoff's successor in the state House next year. But on Nov. 4, he was handed a surprised defeat by Republican Laura Bradford.

Buescher did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Monday evening.

News2 reported that about a dozen people have applied to succeed current Secretary of State Mike Coffman, who is leaving in January to take a seat in Congress.

Besides Buescher and Romanoff, other confirmed candidates include outgoing state Senate President Ken Gordon (D-Denver), talk show host and 1990 Democratic Secretary of State nominee Aaron Harber, Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder Jessica Lovingier, federal Election Assistance Commission Chairwoman Rosemary Rodriguez, and Denver Democratic Party Secretary Dan Willis.

Lovingier is the only Republican included in that list.