https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeBrauchlerColorado/videos/1311828462241681/

Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler appears poised to announce a run for governor as early as Wednesday.

The Republican – who skyrocketed into the political limelight after criticizing Gov. John Hickenlooper for issuing a stay of execution to convicted killer Nathan Dunlap in 2013 – posted an announcement teaser video to his Facebook campaign page on Tuesday.

“We’re frustrated with weak elected officials who continue to dodge difficult decisions, and career politicians who assure us that the answers to Colorado’s biggest problems are just one more election away.

“The system seems to work best for those who have most.”

The video then transitions to color: “But it hasn’t always been that way here in Colorado, and it doesn’t have to be that way now,” Brauchler says, before the video dissolves into a George Brauchler logo and the words “coming soon.”

Hickenlooper is term limited in 2018, which leaves an open seat.

Brauchler is expected to emerge as a competitive challenger in the GOP primary. He gained notoriety for several high-profile cases, including acting as the lead prosecutor in the case against convicted Colorado theater shooter James Holmes. Brauchler was disappointed after the jury refused to sentence Holmes to die for one of the worst massacres in the country’s history.

Also expected to announce a run for governor on the Republican ticket is state Treasurer Walker Stapleton.

DaVita Healthcare Partners chief executive Kent Thiry is also said to be considering a run for governor on the Republican ticket, as is former U.S. Senate candidate and Colorado State University athletic director Jack Graham.

Former Republican state Rep. Victor Mitchell has already launched a campaign.

A total of four Republicans have so far filed paperwork to run.

On the Democratic side, former state Sen. Mike Johnston has already announced and been running an impressive campaign. He reported a record-breaking fundraising period, with at least $625,000 for the first quarter of 2017.

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Arvada, is also expected to announce a run for governor on the Democratic ticket. And former state Treasurer Cary Kennedy is seriously considering a gubernatorial run.

Democrat Noel Ginsburg, a Denver manufacturing entrepreneur and civic leader, has also declared his candidacy in the 2018 gubernatorial race.

A total of five Democrats have already filed paperwork.

Fifteen candidates have so far filed paperwork to run in the 2018 gubernatorial race. In addition to the major party candidates, there is one Green Party candidate; one American Constitution Party candidate; a Unity Party candidate; and three unaffiliated candidates.

Check back with ColoradoPolitics.com as this story develops.