Gatto remembered across the aisle

Alaska lost a great legislator Tuesday, and a great family man. He was a friend of mine and of many.

Carl Gatto, a fiercely independent Palmer Republican, fought prostate cancer for roughly a decade and, though spry and active until very recently, passed away after bravely battling a month of rapidly declining health.

Carl and I had a running joke. We were both born in New York, and in our first year as legislators, voters, administrators who sent us our hiring packets and many others got us mixed up. For a year I got blamed for his votes and he got blamed for mine — which we kidded about. I claimed the confusion got him votes because people thought he was me; he claimed it got me votes because it was obvious people thought I was him. He was probably right.

Over time we found many areas of agreement and fought hard together for needed oil tax reform after the 2006 corruption scandal that had VECO officials buy votes from certain legislators. We fought together for ways to try to move a needed Alaska gas pipeline forward, and we passed a bill on the House floor “together” (we and four others were sponsors) Tuesday, an hour before he passed away. We shared a lot more in common that I’ll keep between the two of us.

On a day that I should have been happy — our bill to ban texting while driving passed the House an hour before we received the news of Carl’s passing — that morning I sat with others on the House Floor saddened and teary eyed.

Finally — and not to inject any controversy by mentioning a famous name that brings mixed emotions from Alaskans — we shared in common that we both received compliments from former Governor Palin. The compliment of Carl was indisputable. His was way better.

I once heard — years later and secondhand — that Governor Palin referred to me as a “statesman” during the 2007 oil tax special session. Could have been a typo, in an email I only first saw this year. But Carl, with the governor standing next to him, was called Alaska’s Thomas Jefferson. As I recall, she was referring to his work on oil, his work on ethics, and to his independence. On all that, I agree with Governor Palin. His compliment was earned and earnestly said.

Carl stood tall. He was ethical. He was honest. He worked hard. He didn’t let other people tell him how to vote. Carl was worthy of that compliment. He earned that compliment.

His independence made him a busy candidate, as some Republicans who resented the fact that he didn’t vote a party line would frequently line up to run against him in Republican primaries. Democrats who thought they could do better ran against him in the November General Elections. Carl won every one of those elections. Why? Because people liked him, trusted him and liked that he had an independent and bright mind. They liked him more than every one of the many candidates from both parties — including many very good people who ran against him.

So, I don’t know what to do other than wish you peace, Carl, and wish peace to your family.

With sadness, but richer for having Carl as a friend.

Rep. Les Gara is a Democratic member of the Alaska Legislature. You can reach Rep. Gara at rep.les.gara@legis.state.ak.us or (907) 269-0106.