Gail Schoettler (/ʃɛtlɜːr/,^[1] née Sinton; born October 21, 1943) is a retired American politician and businesswoman who served as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and 50th Colorado State Treasurer. In the 1998 gubernatorial election, Schoettler was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Colorado, losing to Republican Bill Owens by just 7,783 votes.^[2][3][4]

Early life and education

Schoettler was born Gail Sinton in Los Angeles, California on October 21, 1943. Schoettler's father was a cattle rancher and member of the Shandon school board. Schoettler has a brother and twin sister. Schoettler grew up on a cattle ranch in Shandon, California.^[5][6][1][7]

In 1965, Schoettler earned a Bachelor of Art degree in economics from Stanford University. Schoettler earned a master's degree and PhD degree in African History from University of California, Santa Barbara.^[5][6][1]

Career

Schoettler became a research assistant for an African Studies professor at University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies, earning $2.50 an hour.^[6]

In 1975, Schoettler co-founded and became the President of the Denver Children Museum in Denver, Colorado, until 1985.^[1][8] In the same year, Schoettler co-founded Women's Bank of Denver.^[9][6]

Politics

In 1979, Schoettler became a member of Board of Education in Douglas County, Colorado. Schoettler served until 1987.^[1] In 1983, Schoettler became an Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Personnel,^[10]

On November 4, 1986, Schoettler became the 50th Colorado State Treasurer. Schoettler defeated Dick Sargent and Joseph M. Nelson with 51.60% of the votes.^[11] On November 6, 1990, as an incumbent, Schoettler won the election and continued serving as Treasurer of Colorado. Schoettler defeated Dick Sargent and Karen Thiessen with 53.74% of the votes.^[12]

In 1994, Schoettler was elected Lieutenant Governor of Colorado as the running mate of Roy Romer.^[13] On November 3, 1998, Schoettler lost the election as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Colorado. Schoettler was defeated by Bill Owens with 48.43% of the votes. Schoettler was defeated by 7,783 votes.^[2][3][4]

Post-government career

Schoettler and Judi Wagner started a women's group that would raise money to support women candidates. Schoettler cofounded Electing Women and Electing Women Alliance.^[6][14] In 1999, Schoettler was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador of 2000 World Radiocommunication Conference, hosted in Istanbul, Turkey.^[15][16] Schoettler is the owner of eGlobalEducation, a travel company.

Personal life

At 21 years old, Schoettler married John Schoettler, a geologist, and they moved to Santa Barbara, California. In 1969, the Schoettlers moved to Colorado. The couple divorced in 1988, and in 1990, Gail Schoettler married Dr. Donald Stevens, Dean of the University of Colorado at Denver College of Business. Schoettler has three children and two step-children, and as of 1998^[update] lives in Parker, Colorado.^{[1][5][6][16]}