A grand old party

If you decided to walk near Town Park July 7, you could hear the faint sounds of cheers echoing around the space. More than 100 Glenrock residents sat in the scorching heat to hear speeches and campaign promises from the future republican leaders in Wyoming.
From the race for senate seats to state agencies, passionate speeches outlined candidates’ goals if they are elected. Amidst the $10 dollar hotdog and burger plates, GOP constituents came out en mass to support their party and hear the campaign rhetoric.
Gubernatorial candidates Taylor Haynes, a doctor originally from Louisiana, and Cheyenne lawyer Harriet Hageman spoke on a similar issue: reclaiming federally owned lands for Wyoming.
“I can guarantee you a billion dollars a year in our coffers,” Haynes said of the revenue gains if lands are reclaimed from the federal government to Wyoming.
Wyoming State Treasurer and governor candidate Mark Gordon spoke about the four most important things, in his mind, to bring Wyoming into the future. Gordon focused on spending within Wyoming’s means, adding regulations based on common sense, initiating a more solid education system and reducing healthcare costs.
Gordon also pointed to the importance of reducing loan debt for the state.
“Borrowing from future generations hinges on future generations,” he said.
Conservative businessman and governor candidate Foster Friess spoke chiefly about getting the state budget under control and putting an end to big government contracts. He also spoke of his charitable work and donations made to pro-life movements aiming to increase abortion regulations.
“I’d like to be the man known to put his money where his mouth (is),” Friess said. “(I) promise to care about you, listen to you and work hard for you.”
Entrepreneur and gubernatorial candidate Sam Galeotos spoke of education work needed to be done, but focused more on reforming Wyoming’s healthcare.
“We need to have a healthcare system that solves Wyoming’s problems,” he said, during his speech. “It’s going to take place at the local level.”
Businessman and governor candidate Bill Dahlin talked agreed on several points with Gordon. They both addressed diversifying Wyoming’s economy and being better prepared for the boom and bust cycles.

STATE LEVEL
For the Wyoming State Auditor position, two GOP candidates made appearances to talk about their plans if elected.
Nathan Winters currently serves as the State Rep for House District 28 and has since 2012. Winters graduated from high school in Cheyenne and has a master’s degree in religious education. Winters looks to keep government regulations small while promoting transparency all with the goal of keeping Wyoming taxpayers informed.
His opponent Kristi Racines is a certified public accountant and the current Chief Fiscal Officer and Director of Human Resources for Wyoming’s judicial branch. Racines’ current position involves her monitoring payment information for Wyoming’s 23 counties. She believes her job and accounting experience will give her an edge against Winters.
Other candidates have no worries in the primary.
Edward Buchanan is the only nominee on the republican ticket for Wyoming’s Secretary of State position. Buchanan was previously the Speaker for the House in Wyoming’s Legislature and represented House District 4 from 2003-2012. Buchanan will face off against democrat James W. Byrd, who has been representing House District 44 since 2009.
By the end of the speeches and talks, residents stopped by booths adorned with political signage to ask questions of their prospective future elected officials.

THE FEDERAL LEVEL
After the gubernatorial candidates finished their speeches, incumbent Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) made his speech to talk about what he has been doing in Washington, with a heavy emphasis on “unleashing” the energy industry and standing behind President Donald Trump.
“It’s going to be a fight,” he said, referencing the party lines back in Washington.  Barrasso cited the republican tax cut passed in December of 2017 as an example of what the GOP is doing for the residents of Wyoming.
Barrasso praised keeping limited federal government presence in Wyoming to create an economy not held down by regulation.
Wyoming businessman and frontrunner against Barrasso, David Dodson, fired back at the senator for his speech comments, saying he felt the republican tax cut was hastily put together in the final hour and that Barrasso put too much emphasis on what Trump has done instead of the work the congressman has accomplished.
Dodson spoke of his booklet entitled “Dave Dodson’s Plan to Put Wyoming First,” which features a list of his goals and commitments he would live by if elected to office.
An entire analysis of local, state and federal candidates and their stance on issues related to you will be published in this year’s election guide Aug. 8.
The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 21 to narrow down the final candidates for the general election Nov. 6.