He had been an alderman for the Duluth City Council and campaign consultant, notably for Becky Lourey in the 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election.

[2] Born in Duluth, Gauthier graduated from Morgan Park High School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the College of St. Scholastica and his Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin–Superior.

In June 2006, he supported Becky Lourey's primary run in the 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election against the party-endorsed candidate, Mike Hatch.

Gauthier was elected to the legislature filling the seat vacated by Roger Reinert who opted to run for the Minnesota Senate.

[7] On August 15, 2012, Gauthier became embroiled in a sex scandal after a liaison with a 17-year-old male at the Thompson Hill rest stop near Duluth.