Liz Smith to replace Messner as county commissioner

Three candidates interviewed

By Mark Reaman

The Gunnison County Democratic Central Committee has picked Liz Smith to fill the county commissioner seat of John Messner who retired July 1 to take a position with the state. Smith, the co-chair of the Gunnison county Democratic Party along with Jim Starr, will fill out Messner’s term through 2020 and run for office this fall. She will face Republican Dave Taylor.

Three people who live in District 1 applied to fill the seat. Smith, Andy Sovick sits on the county Planning Commission and has served on the Gunnison City Council, and Jeff Taylor who is on the Gunnison City Planning Commission.

The Central Committee met outside on Wednesday evening at the Western Colorado University campus where each candidate was given about a half hour to make a presentation and answer questions.

Starr said the party was thrilled to have had three good people to choose from. “We are incredibly excited to have Liz replace John and run this fall for a position on the board of County commissioners. She is a very resourceful person and listens to the entire county. We are expecting a very positive campaign and excited to have her as the Democratic candidate,” he said.

District One includes a portion of the city of Gunnison and the land west of the city.