Denver Republican Benjamin Higgins, star of the most recent season of ABC-TV’s hit show The Bachelor, confirmed Thursday he’s considering a run for office in House District 4.

“My priority is giving back to my community and serving my neighbors. Since the conclusion of The Bachelor, I have been exploring how I can best be of service,” Higgins said in a statement. “I am definitely not a politician, but I have a lot to offer through my years in the financial services industry and, more importantly, my work in charitable and humanitarian organizations.”

He added that his decision about running in the heavily Democratic district will be based on what’s best for current GOP candidate Willie Pinkston and their families.

The Colorado Statesman was first to report that Higgins was weighing a run in HD 4 and that Pinkston was willing to withdraw from the race and endorse the popular reality TV star.

“As of now, I’m planning on running,” Pinkston said in a statement. “But Ben is the only Republican in the district I would step aside for.”

Higgins this week launched BenHigginsforColorado.com, a potential campaign website that asks visitors to sign up for email updates “as Ben begins this journey.”

House Speaker Pro Tem Dan Pabon, D-Denver, an attorney, is running for his fourth term representing the district, which stretches north and south of Sloan Lake in west Denver. He’s won election by overwhelming margins three times but could be facing a tougher race this year following his arrest for drunk driving on St. Patrick’s Day.

In a statement, Pabon said that he intends to continue cooperating with the legal process and is “prepared to accept any consequences for my actions.”

Pinkston and Pabon are unopposed for their respective parties’ nominations on the June 28 primary ballot. If Pinkston were to withdraw – for any reason – any time before ballots are certified for the November election, a vacancy committee could name a replacement candidate, something election officials say is a routine matter.

Higgins said he’s been consulting policy advisors including Independence Institute President Jon Caldara and former Senate President John Andrews, R-Centennial, who recently stepped down as head of Colorado Christian University’s Centennial Institute.

“My objective is sparking a movement to engage people in our community, working to find common ground and making a positive impact,” Higgins said, thanking Caldara and Andrews for their advice. “I know with the blessings God has given me, I can provide some of the leadership and support for such a movement.”

A campaign advisor said Higgins was interested in fostering economic activity and rolling back unnecessary government burdens.

Higgins is “exactly the kind of practical, principled young leader we need in state government,” Andrews said in a statement. “I look for him to do big things.”

Caldara called Higgins “an intelligent and thoughtful guy who understands the proper role of government” and said he’s looking forward to helping him make a difference. “The bargain is that if I help him with policy,” Caldara added, “he helps me with dating advice.”

Campaign consultant Dustin Olson, founder of Olson Strategies & Advertising, sounded enthused about the possibility Higgins might run.

“Ben’s definitely not a politician and his positivity is a breath of fresh air,” said Olson, who has been introducing Higgins to area Republicans. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of wonderful people across the country, but Ben is one of the most sincere, thoughtful and humble people with whom I’ve ever dealt. Ben could motivate a lot of new people to make a difference in their communities, and that’s exciting.”

Higgins works for Talisys, a local tech firm, and has spent years performing charitable work, helping the Humanity and Hope Foundation and Baker Youth Club. He is engaged to Lauren Bushnell, although the two haven’t set a date yet for their wedding.

– ernest@coloradostatesman.com