Bob Gardner

Infobox State Representative
name=Bob Gardner


state_house=Colorado
state=Colorado
district=21st
term_start=January 10, 2007
preceded=Keith King
succeeded=Incumbent
date of birth=
place of birth=
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=LeAnn
profession=retired Air Force officer; attorney
religion=Southern Baptist
party=Republican|

Bob Gardner is a legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado. An United States Air Force veteran and attorney, Gardner was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives as a Republican in 2006. He represents House District 21, which encompasses western El Paso County and northeastern Fremont County.cite web |url=http://comaps.org/district21h.html |title=State House District 21 |accessdate=2008-03-19 |format=html |work=COMaps ]

Biography

Gardner graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1976, and served as a missile launch officer in the Air Force. While an Air Force officer, Gardner earned a J.D. from the University of Texas in 1981 with honors and a L.L.M. from the George Washington School of Law in 1986, specializing in government procurement law.cite web |url=http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node/43 |title=Rep. Bob Gardner, HD-21 |accessdate=2008-03-19 |work=Colorado House Republican Caucus ] After earning his law degree, Gardner served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.cite web |url=http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/election/profiles/c_profiles.cfm?oper=cand_profile&id=11940&qa=1 |title=Bob Gardner - Colorado - State House District 21 candidate |accessdate=2008-03-19 |format=html |work=RockyMountainNews.com ] He also taught procurement and business law as a member of the Air Force Academy law faculty.

After leaving active duty in 1989 at the rank of lieutenant colonel, Gardner became an attorney in private practice, specializing in government contract law, representing public contractors and charter schools. He served on the board of Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy, which he helped found, from 1994 to 1997 and on the board of the Colorado League of Charter Schools Legal Advocacy Fund. He continues to operate a private law practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Gardner is married; he and his wife, LeAnn, have two children: Bob and Laura.cite news |first=Lynn |last=Bartels |title=Citizen Legislator, February 28 |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/28/citizen-legislator-february-28/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=28 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-19 ]

Political activism

From 1993 to 1997, Gardner served as chair of the El Paso County Republican Party and was involved in numerous candidate and issue campaigns in the Colorado Springs area.

In 1999, Gardner was treasurer for the Colorado Springs Safety Association, a group opposing a ballot measure to grant police and fire personnel collective bargaining powers.cite news |first=Malcolm |last=Howard |title=Crying Fire |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A466 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=28 October 1999 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner registered the political committee Citizens for Honest Government to oppose a slate of candidates during Colorado Springs' 2001 city council elections, and distributed fliers critical of four candidates; he was threatened with arrest following a dispute with a deputy city clerk regarding distributing flyers near an early voting site at city hall.cite news |first=Cara |last=DeGette |title=Activists Booted from City Hall |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A3271 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=5 April 2001 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ]

Gardner also helped coordinate campaigns for a slate of "reform" candidates for Colorado Springs School District 11 in 2003 who backed school vouchers.cite news |first=Bill |last=Vogrin |title=Challenger faces an uphill fight |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20060922/ai_n16744818 |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=22 September 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] cite news |first=Cara |last=DeGette |title=The 2003 election dream machine |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A16434 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=20 October 2005 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner also played a prominent role in the formation in 2004 of Citizens for Student Achievement and Progress, a local political committee formed to support "education reform candidates and issues" in El Paso County,cite news |first=Terje |last=Langeland |title=News Briefs |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A11736 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=20 May 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] In 2005, Gardner was also a spokesperson for the Colorado branch of All Children Matter, a national political group supporting school choice.cite news |first=Michael |last=De Yoanna |title=Not above board |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19443 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=5 October 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ]

In 2004, Gardner worked on the campaign for a local ballot measure to increase taxes to support The Resource Exchange, a nonprofit serving people with developmental disabilities. During the campaign, he submitted, for anonymous publication in voter guides, statements opposing the tax increase that were described as "imflammatory," including: "The families of people with mental retardation, [should] not expect the government to help," and "By funding programs to care for these children, we are encouraging irresponsibility." Others working on the campaign justified the statements as a campaign tactic designed to stir support for the tax measure.cite news |first=Cara |last=DeGette |title=Eating their own |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A9913 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=23 October 2003 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] cite news |first=Cara |last=DeGette |title=Off to the races |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A9913 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=12 January 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ]

Gardner was also a spokesman and campaign manager for Ed Jones's successful campaign for the Colorado State Senate in 2002,cite news |first=Cara |last=DeGette |coauthors=Terje Langeland |title=Watch Your Step |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A6257 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=8 August 2002 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] cite news |first=Cara |last=DeGette |coauthors=Terje Langeland |title=Wagging the Dog |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A6643 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=26 September 2002 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] and his unsucessful reelection campaign against Democratic challenger John Morse in 2006.cite news |first=Michael |last=De Yoanna |title=Lord takes on a kingmaker |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19389 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=28 September 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] During Jones' 2002 campaign, he called for an internal investigation of a police officer who told to news media that Jones had been seen at a bar where drugs were known to be sold.cite news |first=Terje |last=Langeland |title=Keeping Up with Ed Jones |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A6749 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=10 October 2002 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] cite news |first=John |last=Dicker |title=Internal Affair |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A7046 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=14 November 2002 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner was also co-manager of Sen. Ron May's re-election campaign in 2004.cite news |first=Wayne |last=Young |title=Make my D.A. |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A12404 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=5 August 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] and has served as attorney for local Republican candidates on multiple occasions.cite news |first=Cara |last=DeGette |title=Politicos fingered in lawsuit |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A12831 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=23 September 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ]

Gardner was also involved in the contested Republican primary for Colorado's 5th congressional district that year, supporting Jeff Crank over victor Doug Lamborn.cite news |author=Associated Press |title=Complaint filed in 5th District GOP primary |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_4087240 |work=Denver Post |date=17 October 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] During the general election, Gardner filed a complaint against Lamborn, accusing his campaign of coordinating illegally with 527 organizations.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Lamborn accused of illegal activities with PACs |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/campaign_18539___article.html/lamborn_crank.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=23 July 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] The complaint was referenced in attack ads by Lamborn's Democratic opponent,cite news |first=Erin |last=Emery |title=Words spur pointing of 5th District fingers |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_4588267 |work=Denver Post |date=2 November 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] and Gardner withdrew it shortly before the general election. Lamborn was cleared of wrongdoing by the Federal Election Commission.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=No Armed Services vote for Lamborn |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/lamborn_11305___article.html/seat_armed.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=6 January 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ]

Legislative career

2006 election

In 2006, Gardner sought the house seat held by retiring Rep. Keith King; he faced no opposition for the Republican nomination.cite news |first=R. Scott |last=Rappold |title=GOP delegates pick candidates |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/district_18318___article.html/candidates_house.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=16 April 2006 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner won his seat in the Colorado House of Representatives in the 2006 general election, defeating Democrat Anna Lord with about 59% of the popular vote.

2007 legislative session

Infobox Colorado Legislation
Title=Rep.
Name=Gardner
Year=2007
Bill Number 1=HB07-1032
Bill Number 2=HB07-1075
Bill Number 3=HB07-1085
Bill Number 4=HB07-1207
Bill Number 5=HB07-1245
Bill Number 6=HB07-1340
Bill Link 1=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/243A85B09F3BB89C87257251007D5DE5?Open&file=1032_01.pdf
Bill Link 2=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/E225AFB02D64C54F87257251007D4DC1?Open&file=1075_01.pdf
Bill Link 3=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/655DAB1789CFFE7687257251007D4888?Open&file=1085_eng.pdf
Bill Link 4=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/415439D9386A8F23872572610064DDDC?Open&file=1207_enr.pdf
Bill Link 5=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/5A28ED16733DD360872572620001230E?Open&file=1245_01.pdf
Bill Link 6=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/0BF02B5A79EE68FE872572840057CAD0?Open&file=1340_enr.pdf
Bill Status 1=Postponed indefinitely in House committee
Bill Status 2=Postponed indefinitely in House committee
Bill Status 3=Defeated in House of Representatives
Bill Status 4=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 5=Postponed indefinitely in House committee
Bill Status 6=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Title 1=Concerning a prohibition on the imposition of a fee on the filing of any diclosure report required to be filed under Colorado law governing campaign finance.
Bill Title 2=Concerning explicit authorization for the state charter school institute to enter into tax-exempt financing agreements to acquire capital equipment on behalf of institute charter schools.
Bill Title 3=Concerning changes in the requirements that apply to petition circulators to comply with judicial decisions on the constitutionality of such requirements.
Bill Title 4=Concerning the reclassification of Fremont County.
Bill Title 5=Concerning the performance of driver's license offices, and, in connection therewith, requiring an external performance audit of all driver's license offices in the state [...]
Bill Title 6=Concerning modifications to the guidelines [...] that ensure crime victims are able to participate in the criminal justice process.

During the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Gardner sat on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Local Government Committee.cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |accessdate=2007-12-11 |format=html |work=Colorado General Assembly] . The newly-elected Rep. Bob Gardner joined Rep. Cory Gardner in the state house, leading to the need to distinguish them as "Garner, B." and "Gardner, C." in house roll calls.cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=On the side |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_5380556 |work=Denver Post |date=7 March 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] During his first session, Gardner was noted for his passionate speeches on the House floor.

Gardner proposed legislation to increase driver's license fees by $1 to fund an audit of driver's license office performance. After the bill was defeated in committee, Gardner led a bipartisan effort to request the Legislative Audit Committee to investigate the matter.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Even lawmakers sick of long DMV lines |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/offices_11627___article.html/gardner_committee.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=25 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner also unsuccessfully proposed legislation to ease restrictions on petition circulators.

Gardner introduced legislation — passed and signed into law — to provide a full-time judge for Fremont Countycite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Area lawmakers win and lose |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_21999___article.html/bills_colorado.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=6 May 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] and to require that victims of crimes be informed of attempts by offenders to overturn convictions or halt sex offender registration.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Gay couples OK’d to adopt; abstinence-only sex ed cut |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_22409___article.html/children_sex.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=15 May 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ]

Following the legislative session, Gardner served on the legislature's interim committee on Long-Term Care Health Care Services and Support to Persons with Developmental Disabilities.cite web |url=http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/lcsstaff/2007/comsched/07DisabilitiesSched.htm |title=Long-Term Care Health Care Services and Support to Persons with Developmental Disabilities Committee |accessdate=2008-04-27 |work=Colorado Legislative Council ]

In November 2007, Gardner, along with Rep. Amy Stephens was named Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce legislator of the year.cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Stephens will lead House Republicans |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/stephens_29555___wap_article.html/rep_caucus.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=10 November 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ]

2008 legislative session

In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Gardner sits on the House Finance Committee, and the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee.cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |accessdate=2008-01-19 |format=html |work=Colorado General Assembly]

Gardner was among a number of self-described moderate Republicans who criticized Gov. Bill Ritter for signing an executive order allowing state employees collective bargaining rights.cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Briefs: GOP lawmakers say Ritter "badly betrayed" them |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_7399314 |work=Denver Post |date=8 November 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] In response, Gardner introduced a bill that would have prohibited all public employees in Colorado from striking;cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Holes found in Ritter's strike ban |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/strikes_30343___wap_article.html/ban_ritter.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=30 November 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] his bill was voted down in committee, but a narrower measure prohibiting state employees from striking advanced.cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |title=1 no-strike bill out at the Capitol |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_8068998 |work=Denver Post |date=24 January 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner unsuccessfully attempted to add some of his bill's stiffer penalties for striking into the competing measure,cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Strike ban bill advances |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_32535___article.html/gardner_strike.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=30 January 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] which was signed into law by Gov. Ritter.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |coauthors=Michael Davidson |title=Legislature: Thursday in review |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/democrats_34912___article.html/republicans_thursday.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=3 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-11 ]

Gardner also proposed a legislative package designed to assist Coloradoans with developmental disabilities. To address backlog in provision of state services, Gardner proposed an $8.6 million increase in funding to reduce the waiting list;cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=GOP lawmakers unveil health care goals |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/care_30492___wap_article.html/insurance_health.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=3 December 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter similarly supported a $10.6 increase in funding.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Gov. Ritter proposes $18B budget |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/state_29217___wap_article.html/million_springs.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=1 November 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner's proposal, which would have directed 2 percent of annual budget increases to services for the developmentally disabled, won the endorsement of an interim legislative committee.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Tax-increase plan to aid developmentally disabled dropped |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/disabled_28903___article.html/committee_increase.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=24 October 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] During the legislative session, the bill passed a House committee after being pared down to a $2 million increase for the following fiscal year.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Bills would aid the disabled |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/disabled_32898___article.html/developmentally_bill.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=8 February 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner also proposed giving state preference in contracts to companies that employ developmentally disabled individualscite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Lawmakers work to help disabled in state get jobs |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/disabled_28499___article.html/state_work.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=15 October 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] and was the house sponsor of a Senate bill to create a state employment program for the developmentally disabled.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |coauthors=Michael Davidson |title=First bills of session |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/traffic_31803___article.html/bills_requires.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=9 January 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Following the legislative session, Gardner was named "Legislator of the Year" by Alliance, a group serving people with developmental disabilities.cite news |first=Pam |last=Zubeck |title=POLITIGAB: Vet in Bidlack's corner |url=http://www.gazette.com/news/disabilities_39559___article_news.html/bidlack_gardner.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=20 August 2008 |accessdate=2008-10-03 ]

Gardner proposed legislation that would deny bail to illegal immigrants arrested for some felonies and serious drunk driving offenses,cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |title=GOP returns to illegal immigrants |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_7325132 |work=Denver Post |date=31 October 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] legislation to create a college scholarship program for low-income students,cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |coauthors=Michael Davidson |title=This week in the legislature |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_32730___article.html/state_committee.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=4 February 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] and a bill to guarantee tuition rates for four-year college students,cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=State GOP announces higher-ed proposals |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/education_28866___article.html/colorado_students.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=24 October 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] which died in a House committee.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=The week in the legislature |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/committee_33002___article.html/bill_senate.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=11 February 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] A measure to grant immunity to parole board members acting in their official capacity was passed by the state house.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |coauthors=Michael Davidson |title=Assembly glance: Friday in review |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_32392___article.html/house_colorado.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=25 January 2007 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] A bill to require certain sex offenders to wear GPS monitoring braclets during parole passed a house committee unanimously,cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Bill to monitor sex offenders gets boost |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/sexual_33362___article_pluck.html/offenders_gardner.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=20 February 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] but was passed over for funding in the state budget.cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Budget bubbles burst
url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/budget_34892___article.html/million_senate.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=3 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-11 ]

2008 election

During the contested 2008 Republican presidential primaries, Gardner supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=On the stump - February 7, 2008 |url=http://www.gazette.com/news/county_32843___article.html/former_crank.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=7 February 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-30 ] Gardner himself sought a second term in the legislature and again faced Democrat Anna Lord.cite news |first=Naomi |last=Zeveloff |title=Democrat Anna Lord says it will take Republican support to represent Colorado Springs |url=hhttp://www.coloradoindependent.com/view/democrat-anna-lord |work=Colorado Independent |date=11 July 2007 |accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/house/members/hou21.htm Colorado General Assembly profile]