The Summit County Democratic Party is in the process of selecting a new county commissioner tonight. The party\u2019s vacancy committee will vote to fill the vacant commissioner\u2019s seat left by former commissioner Dan Gibbs, who resigned last week after being appointed to head the state\u2019s department of natural resources. The committee \u2013 made up of 43 members, of whom 35 are present to vote \u2014 will vote until one of eight candidates \u2014 Emily Tracy, Kevin Burns, Jennifer McAtamney, Erin Gigliello, Mark Burke, Gary Martinez, Leigh Gervin and Elisabeth Lawrence \u2014 achieves a simple majority of members present. The chosen candidate will be sworn in as commissioner and serve for two years in 2020, when all three commissioner seats will be up for election at the same time.<\/p>\n
This post will be updated along with the proceedings.<\/p>\n
Update 7:25 p.m. : The eight candidates have given their speeches and the meeting has now moved to a question and answer session, with candidates given 60 seconds to answer.<\/p>\n
One of the first questions asked is how candidates intend to lower health care costs in the county. Kevin Burns said he wanted strengthen and stabilize the Summit County Community Care Clinic. Gary Martinez said that the county needs to work with Gov. Polis and the state government to reform the state\u2019s regional insurance system. Elisabeth Lawrence touted her work with the Summit Foundation and the efforts they have made to alleviate health care costs, as well drawing from the community\u2019s talent pool to produce a solution. Leigh Garvin said she supported the Peak Health Alliance\u2019s effort to create collective bargaining for consumers.<\/p>\n