Meet the new face in the county commissioner race
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — A new candidate threw their hat in the race for Mesa County commissioner. While incumbent Cody Davis (R) seeks re-election, political newcomer Tom Acker is hunting for an upset.
The Republicans have always been county commissioners. We have never had an opportunity to have an unaffiliated person run as a commissioner or a Democrat run as a commissioner.
Tom Acker
Tom Acker originally moved to Western Colorado to teach Spanish at Colorado Mesa University. During that time Acker spent a lot of his spare time volunteering for local nonprofit organizations. “Most of that time I spent working with people that are the least privileged,” Acker said.
But now, Acker says, he’s looking to make a bigger impact by earning a seat on the Mesa County Board of Commissioners. “They’re a powerful political force in the valley,” Acker said. “It makes sense that I would see if I could participate at that level after having done so many things as a volunteer.”
Acker told WesternSlopeNow he’s worked with the following nonprofits:
Grand Valley Peace and Justice
Western Slope Against Trafficking
Co-founder
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition
Served on board
Acker said the current commissioners have gotten too comfortable and thinks he could bring a fresh perspective to the board. “The Republicans have always been county commissioners. We have never had an opportunity to have an unaffiliated person run as a commissioner or a Democrat run as a commissioner.”
Political platform
Acker hammered home two key issues during his interview with WesternSlopeNow: Housing and poverty.
I think housing is such a priority it needs to be addressed. How we can get more families in houses. How we can insure the fact that children are not living in poverty, and what kind of services can be provided to those children.
Tom Acker
Acker even floated the idea of raising the livable wage to combat poverty in Mesa County, similar to what Denver has done. Acker pointed tax revenue and quality of life both increased and there were no substantial layoffs. That’s just one policy idea he brought up.
Right now I’m in the information-gathering mode because I have not occupied this position and I don’t have all of the answers.
Tom Acker
Be on the lookout for WesternSlopeNow’s interview with incumbent Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis.
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