On Sunday, thirty Wyoming Rising members and supporters gathered to discuss the candidates. It was agreed that it makes sense to vote Republican in the Primary because there are so few Democrats on the ballot this year. Making sure good candidates make it onto the General Election ballot is more important than ever. Remember that if you vote Democrat, you will not be able to vote for County Commissioner – as all the candidates for that office are running as Republicans.
You may change your party affiliation at your polling place on the day of the primary or general election. Wyoming Rising has previously discussed this strategy on our website: https://www.wyomingrising.org/2018/07/17/voting-information-and-advice/
Please make an informed vote, review the candidates’ websites, which we have compiled here: https://www.wyomingrising.org/2018-election-watch/. You may also want to read the Wyoming Outdoor Council’s 10-question survey shows where Gubernatorial candidates stand on important conservation topics facing our state. https://wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org/gubernatorial-candidate-survey/.
The following candidates are whom we have identified as qualified to move on to the General Election.
Wyoming Rising supports:
U.S. SENATOR
Republican: Dave Dodson
Democrat: Gary Trauner
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Republican: Rod Miller
Democrat: Greg Hunter
GOVERNOR
Republican: Mark Gordon
Democrat: Mary A. Throne *
SECRETARY OF STATE
Republican: Edward Buchanan
Democrat: James W. Byrd
STATE AUDITOR
Republican: Kristi Racines
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE
House District 24 (includes Cody and Mammoth)
Republican: Sandy Newsome
Democrat: Paul Fees
House District 25 (includes Powell)
Republican: Write in candidate Ronn Smith
House District 26 (includes Lovell and Greybull)
No recommendation
House District 27 (includes Worland, Hyatteville, Manderson, Ten Sleep)
No recommendation
House District 28 (includes Meeteetse and Burlington)
Democrat: Howie Samelson
House District 50
(includes Crandell, Sunlight, Clark, Heart Mountain, Ralston, Wilwood)
Republican: David Northrup
Democrat: Mike Specht
STATE TREASURER
No recommendation
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Republican: Jillian Balow
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (vote for all three)
Republicans:
Pat Stuart
Dossie Overfield
Joe Tilden
COUNTY CORONER
Republican: Tim Power
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Republican: Bryan A. Skoric
COUNTY SHERIFF
Republican: Scott A. Steward
COUNTY CLERK
Republican: Colleen Renner
COUNTY TREASURER
Republican: Barbara A. Poley
COUNTY ASSESSOR
Republican: Pat Meyer
CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT
Republican: Patra Lindenthal
Unfortunately, if you vote republican and the republicans get the majority in Congress, chances are that an impeachment proceeding against Trump won’t happen. If you vote Democrat and the Democrats control Congress, then as Representative Liz Cheney stated, Trump will probably be impeached. Which is the lesser of two evils?
I agree with you, I have always been a Democrat. This year, however, I’m listening to my moderate Republican friends and think it may be smart to vote Republican in the Primary to help shift the general ballot a little more to the center. — Renee Tafoya