Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

David Bayert - Republican

Where do you currently live?

I have lived in Basin for the past 25 to 30 years.

How long have you lived in House District 28?

I have lived in District 28 since 1976 with a short interval of 1.5 years. I am a Hot Springs County High School graduate from 1971. Basically I’ve lived in this district since I got out of

high school.

What type of work do you do, and where do you work?

I am a retired oil field hand. I roughnecked, consulted, directional drilled and supervised. I am 67 years old and retired from the oil patch.

Why are you running for House District 28?

The answer is very simple, God told me to. I argued with him, but it doesn’t usually pay to argue with God very long. He added that he is also running for his children and grandchildren because “our generation is leaving them a big mess.”

What are your qualifications for serving as a state legislator?

No. 1 qualification, fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom – as Solomon wrote. I rely heavily on the Bible in all my decision making and I have access to the wisdom of God through his Son Jesus Christ.

I have also been active in the GOP Party for well over 20 years, serving as precinct committeeman. I’m not a political dummy I know the difference between a Constitution Republic and a democracy.

As House District 28 comprises several communities, what will you do to address the needs of all your constituents?

Let’s put the Bible back in our schools and let’s teach our children the principles of the Word of God so that He can bless our communities like He wants to bless our communities.

The most important thing for every community is doing things God’s way – prosperity always follows liberty, poverty follows oppression. The key to prosperity and liberty is adhering to the Word of God and voting in accordance and doing with what the Bible teaches.

What do you feel are the three most important issues facing House District 28 and Wyoming, and how would you address them?

The most important issue is to start doing things God’s way.

The second most important issue in my opinion is that we are going to face tremendous budget shortfalls and we’ve been through this before. We need to quit trying to pick people’s pockets. We need to cut the budget, deeply, and no one is going to like it especially government employees.

In the ebbs and flow of the oil field I’ve been laid off multiple times and had wages cut as much as 50%. Right now our state is struggling. Our taxpayers our struggling financially. Now’s not the time to figure out more ways to pick their pockets. Now is the time to make the hard decisions that people are going to yell and scream about. We’ve got to cut spending down to the point that we are not stealing the money from children and grandchildren or stealing money out of pockets of people that are already struggling to make ends meet.

In a nutshell, no more new taxes and cut spending.

Third, slam the door on Marxism, I really, truly believe, when the first boats full of colonists landed on America’s shores they didn’t plant flags, they planted crosses, they knelt down

and asked God’s blessings. This nation was founded as a Christian nation. It is now primarily a nation that teaches our children to be good socialists.

I believe, the whole idea of Marxism, socialism, communism, progressivism, was demonically inspired it is demonically instituted and its results will be demonic. Satan wants to destroy this great nation that has been a light to this world.

John R. Winter - Republican

I was born and raised in Cody, Wyoming and my wife, Diane, and I now live 10 miles North of Thermopolis on Kirby Creek.

We moved here in the fall of 1999 or nearly 21 years ago.

I am basically retired from the Outfitting Industry where I owned Two Ocean Pass Outfitting and another camp in the Thorofare for 38 years with an outfitter license.

I am running for re-election to House District 28 because I enjoyed my first term and feel I need to return in order to do justice for the confidence placed in me after my election in 2018. I have accomplished a couple of things on predator control in my first term but there are other projects I have in mind for the citizens of Wyoming.

Everyone who runs for elective office feels that they have ideas and qualifications that can enhance the lives of Wyoming citizens. I believe my knowledge of agriculture and the tourism industry are such that I can benefit these all important Wyoming businesses. I have been involved in the oil and gas industry and the trucking industry over the years which are important businesses for this State as well. Our State is facing some really hard times on the economic front and we must promote those industries which are still vibrant and moving forward. Agriculture and Tourism are very important to our economy and we must promote them as much as possible.

Fortunately for me, the communities in House District 28 are similar in their economic base and I easily relate to them and their businesses. It is really a pleasure to represent all of the folks in District 28.

The three most important issues facing the communities in HD 28 at the present time are 1) the COVID-19 restrictions which have been imposed on our economy; 2) these restrictions have had a devasting effect on the agriculture and tourism industries for their viability not to mention so many other businesses in our communities. The “authorities” making all of the rules regarding COVID-19 receive a paycheck every two weeks. The folks who are expected to abide by these rules are struggling to make ends meet; 3) Our economy is going in the tank because our other primary industries, i.e., coal, oil and gas and other mineral entities are suffering to the point that their viability is questionable. To start with, we must get this State back to reality and productive again. This Corona virus has been politicized to the point that people are afraid to face things head on. We must get markets opened up again and let people take responsibility for their own lives.

Levi Shinkle - Democrat

A questionnaire was sent to Democratic candidate Levi Shinkle. The Northern Wyoming News received no response to the questionnaire. He was profiled in an earlier edition of the Northern Wyoming News.