Gaither: 'lanes before trains'

David Gaither, GOP-endorsed candidate for state Senate in SD44, had a great radio interview (Late Debate - 07/14/12: Jack and Ben, AM 1130 Twin Cities News Talk) a couple of weeks ago.

Gaither explained his transportation priorities in three words: "Lanes before trains." While the only two-lane stretch of I-494 creates headaches every day in SD44, Gaither's opponent, Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) has been a prominent proponent of the Southwest Corridor light rail boondoggle project — which won't haul the commercial cargo or groceries that I-494 does. While Bonoff touts the southwest suburbs' desire to benefit from a taxpayer-funded labor train, Gaither favors measures that would improve the business climate for all Minnesota businesses.

Interestingly, Gaither asserted that he is "not running against Bonoff." Instead, he said that is running for better ideas for SD44 and the state of Minnesota. Accordingly, Gaither believes that the GOP must retain its majority in the Senate to block Gov. Mark Dayton's agenda in favor of its own. Gaither said that Bonoff voted with the DFL caucus 85% of the time during her tenure in the Senate.

Yet Gaither said that he is prepared to work with his DFL colleagues in the Senate and with Gov. Dayton. He did just that during his tenure in the Senate (2002-2005). "I don't care who gets the credit," said Gaither, "I care about getting things done."