Two Republicans in Montezuma County District 1 would like to replace Commissioner Jim Candelaria and are on the GOP primary ballot.
Tim Lanier is a farmer who served on the Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 School Board. As board member of the Farmers Telephone Co., Lanier helped make that unusually small communications company successful and popular.
Elizabeth Tozer is a longtime manager of the Cortez Livestock Auction, an organizer of the 4 Corners Rodeo and a former fair board member. She enjoys working with youths in agriculture. If elected, Tozer says she would increase agriculture tourism.
Candelaria would like a third term. He is the current board chairman, and points to advocating in support of the county economic development plan, the hiring of a grant writer and expanding broadband service. Candelaria enjoys keeping residents informed about the commission’s work and he points to his many years of public service.
The winner of the primary is certain to be elected in November given the predominance of the Republican Party in the county.
Our Pick: Give Candelaria that third term. His active leadership in meeting residents’ needs and moving the county forward are clear.
