Before unveiling a package of ethics proposals today, GOP gubernatorial candidate Kenny Hulshof described his near brush with fame as Pope Benedict XVI was in Washington this week.

Hulshof, who is catholic, was in town, but said he was unable to meet the pontiff.

“I did find the popemobile, however,” he told reporters. “And I stuck a ‘Hulshof for governor’ bumper sticker on the back of the popemobile. I think that’s the ultimate endorsement.”

Also filed under campaign jokes is Hulshof’s quip that now that the death penalty is back on line, it might be a good penalty for violating the state’s Sunshine Law.