Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas says he’s the best candidate for governor because he’s the only one with a business background who also has government experience as both a legislator and executive.

We think that counts for something, which is one of the reasons we endorse him as the Republican nominee for governor.

But it’s not the only reason.

Gatsas’ conservative credentials are unquestioned. He favors, for instance, an amendment to the state Constitution to prevent enactment of an income tax, a pet project of many in the GOP’s right wing, and his plan for promoting economic growth hits the usual Republican touchstones of lowering taxes, boosting workforce development through education, and reducing energy and health care costs for businesses.

The mayor’s record of leadership on the opioid issue also deserves a look, we think.

Because he has seen the devastation up close, Gatsas understands better than most the need to meet the challenge with an approach that supports law enforcement resources and still allows people who want help to receive treatment.

As such, Manchester implemented the "Safe Station" program on Gatsas’ watch, an initiative that allows addicts to show up at any of the city’s fire stations and be put in touch with treatment professionals.

It’s not a cure-all, but it has been credited with getting people the help they need while reducing the number of deaths from overdoses in Manchester.

Gatsas, who was born and raised in Manchester, is also a pragmatist who is not afraid to reach across the aisle, such as when he was elected president of the New Hampshire Senate in 2005 with the support of the chamber’s Democrats.

We encourage Republican and undeclared voters to consider Gatsas when they go to the polls on Sept. 13.