If elected governor, Lew Gaiter said he wants to bridge the political divide, bring civility to political discourse and lead by influence rather than a show of power.
The Republican candidate struck a tone of moderation during a 75-minute discussion Thursday with The Durango Herald’s Editorial Board.
Gaiter is a two-term county commissioner in Larimer County, which includes Fort Collins and Colorado State University.
He is one of five Republicans to formally announce his candidacy for the November 2018 governor’s race. About five Democrats have tossed their hats into the ring to replace Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, who is term-limited.
Gaiter, 57, was appointed as a Larimer County commissioner in January 2010, elected in November 2010 and re-elected in 2014. He views county government as a microcosm of state government, with a similar structure and organization of branches as state government, according to his website.
Gaiter, who is president of Colorado Counties Inc. and is on the board of directors for the National Association of Counties, said his experience as a county commissioner would allow him to work closely with other county commissioners across the state.
He has worked for Hewlett-Packard and ran his own information technology business. He and his wife, Jeannette, have nine children, ages 18 to 33.
“I think my wife and I know more about raising kids than most people do,” he said. “I will also say I know beans about raising kids.”
Gaiter gave few specifics when it came to his position on issues, but he said it’s important to strike a balance when it comes to the economy, transportation and management of natural resources.
He toured the King Coal II mine on Thursday in western La Plata County and came away impressed with the company’s attention to safety and environmental stewardship – going beyond what is regulated.
In addressing societal divides – right versus left, urban versus rural, poor versus rich – Gaiter said children and young adults are still developing a belief system. By the time they reach adulthood, they have developed core beliefs, which are more difficult to change.
All of this is natural, he said, and is part of the reason the country is polarized, but it doesn’t mean people with opposing views can’t reach a compromise that is mutually beneficial, especially to the public at large. Colorado lawmakers agreed Interstate 25 needed to be fixed, but they left this year’s legislative session without a substantive fix because they were so polarized over “my way or my way,” Gaiter said.
“The No. 1 vision for me ... is bridging the divide, is working together,” Gaiter said. “I believe in civility and discourse, and I believe in leading by influence instead of leading by bossing. I believe in respecting everyone and to listen to the opinions and try to work together to find a common ground.”
shane@durangoherald.com
