Regent Elections Profile: Brian Davidson

This November, the entire state of Colorado will have the opportunity to vote for CU’s Regent-at-large, and though the election is over nine months away, candidates have started campaigning for incumbent Stephen Ludwig’s position on the Board.

A pile of "Rock the Vote" pins being given out by New Era Colorado members outside the UMC. CU and New Era Colorado have been encouraging more students to vote. (CU Independent/Robert R. Denton)

The Board of Regents consists of nine men and women who serve six-year terms and oversee almost every aspect of the University of Colorado system which includes four campuses and 59,000 students. Colorado is just one of four states that allows the public to elect new Board members.

Brian Davidson and Matt Arnold just recently announced their candidacies as Republicans challenging Ludwig, a Democrat, in the election. Davidson and Arnold will likely face off in a primary to determine who will represent their party in November.

The CU Independent is profiling Davidson in the first of a series of interviews with the Regent candidates.

Name: Brian Davidson

Hometown: Wheat Ridge, CO

Profession: Anesthesiologist, University of Colorado Hospital (Anschutz campus)

CU Connection: Medical degree and residency training at the University of Colorado, Boulder; M.B.A. from the University of Colorado at Denver

What sort of experience have you had with the Board of Regents in the past?

I was the Republican candidate for Regent-at-large in 2006. That election was won by Steve Ludwig, the Democratic candidate and incumbent for this year’s election. He received 44.6% of the vote, and I received 44.2%.

What do you feel is the primary concern for the Board right now?

The cost and price of education. The Board has to work with the university to figure out some kind of strategic plan to eliminate these increases. Students and families aren’t going to be able to take on that burden. It’s not dissimilar to the national financial crisis we’ve been going through. Unless you’re an investment banker or you win the lottery, there’s no way that a family can really save today for the cost of education tomorrow.

What can the Board as a whole, and you as a member, do to lower fees?

The Board needs to publicly state that controlling tuition fees. This is the goal. Until they state that, until that is the goal, we’re just going to see the rates increase.

Other than the tuition, what issues would we see you take on as a Regent-at-large?

I would focus on supporting the Anschutz Medical Campus [located in Aurora] and an expansion of the CU health system, and in turn work to provide people with the care they need. I’d also support campus programs promoting future economic competitiveness. We need to be asking the question, ‘What are we doing to support our economy going forward?’.

How important is this election to the CU campuses and student body?

This race will be one of only two state-wide elections this year that every Coloradoan can vote and participate in; the other will elect the President of the United States. The Board of Regents is the only group of people with the power to control what comes up on students’ tuition bills. I understand student debt. As a medical student, I had more than probably anyone. Only the board can say no to proposals of tuition increases, and I intend to do that.

For more on Davidson’s campaign, visit davidsonforcuregent.com.

Contact Breaking News Editor Annie Melton at Anne.melton@colorado.edu.