State candidates visit Worland voters
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Marcus Huff
Senator John Barrasso (standing center) speaks with former Representative Gerald Geiss during a Meet the Candidates forum in Worland. County Commissioners Terry Wolf and Fred Frandson (in jackets) were also on hand to speak with voters.
WORLAND - The Worland Business & Professional Women's organization hosted a non-partisan candidate forum Thursday evening at the Worland Community Center, where candidates for local and state offices gathered to introduce themselves, and hand out information.
Around 65 people attended the event, including the candidates and staff.
Given five minutes for opening statements before meeting with voters and taking questions, the forum started with candidates for the U. S. House of Representatives.
Incumbent Congresswoman Liz Cheney went first, explaining the process in Washington, D.C., and touting her role in protecting Wyoming oil and gas interests, and pushing for the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which would ensure valid concealed carry permits issued in one state are recognized in other states.
"Basically all states have to honor concealed carry permits from other states, or in the case of Wyoming, where you don't have to have a license," remarked Cheney.
Travis Helm, a Democrat from Carbon County, explained his background as an Immigration attorney, and stressed a need to protect public lands, arguing against state control.
Rod Miller, a Republican from Buford and former land manager for the governor's office, joked that he would cut his long hair and beard if Cheney would agree to a public debate. Miller has been outspoken on his stances on public land issues and pledged, if elected, to never support a deficit budget.
Candidates for Senate started with incumbent Senator John Barrasso, who read a Twitter endorsement from President Donald Trump and touted his local ties. Barrasso told voters that he is proud of his work under the Trump administration, highlighting a record tax cut and placement of a conservative judge on the Supreme Court.
Democrat Charlie Hardy emphasized women's issues as they relate to the state, and challenged Barrasso that the "record tax cut" only went to the rich, and left out the middle class.
Republican Dave Dodson of Cheyenne also challenged Barrasso's record, accusing the senator of being "owned" by pharmaceutical companies, and challenged the incumbent to a fair election in lieu of negative commercials.
Democrat Gary Trauner, a former hospital executive, railed against the division in Congress, and said that that form of negotiation wouldn't work in the business world. Trauner also concluded that recent tax cuts would only "blow a bigger hole" in the national debt.
Both Barrasso and Cheney left the forum before the state candidates were announced, and voters were able to ask questions.
For the office of governor, all candidates were represented by staff or family, as the candidates were at a separate gathering in Casper.
State Auditor candidate Nathan Winters was represented by his wife Christie.
Secretary of State candidate James Byrd reflected on his family legacy in Wyoming, and his own time in the state legislature. Candidate Ed Buchanan could not make the event.
Running unopposed, State House Representative (District 27) Mike Greear spoke on the state budget, while County Commissioners Fred Frandson and Terry Wolf and County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch updated voters on Washakie County business taken in 2017.
