Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Lake Crystal, outdazzled everyone on the opening day of the session.
Cornish, the old lawman who retired from his position as Lake Crystal’s police chief, entered on the opening day of the legislative session wearing a black, three-piece, pinstriped suit that looked like it came out of the 1930s. As usual, Cornish had attached his trademark decorative handcuffs to the outfit. And, as usual, he was wearing cowboy boots.
“You look like a gangster,’’ one of his colleagues suggested.
Others came by, gasping.
Cornish — never an understated dresser (he tends to leather suit jackets and bolo ties) — appreciated at all comments.
“I like the suit except that they sewed the pockets shut,’’ he said.
“Makes it hard to carry.’’
That’s a reference to Cornish, a huge gun rights advocate, often packing a pistol.
Following his retirement, Cornish slipped in a trip to Tombstone, Ariz., so that he could study the gunflight at the OK Corral, a favorite topic of his.
“Didn’t do any coyote hunting on this trip,’’ Cornish said.
More people came by, admiring, or at least staring at, his suit.
“Figured I refine my image today, then get back to handguns,’’ Cornish said.
