Four running for State Senate District 20

Three Republicans and one Democrat are running in the primary for the Wyoming State Senate District 20 seat vacated by Sen. Gerald Geis who did not seek re-election.

One Republican candidate and the Democratic candidate will advance to the general election in November.

Wyatt Agar

Republican Wyatt Agar, a local rancher and businessman, said he is running to protect constitutional, individual and private property rights.

"At a time when the very foundations of our livelihood and lifestyle in rural Wyoming and America are under attack, we need strong conservatives to push back," he said. "Our constitutional rights, individual rights and private property rights are constantly being challenged. I am committed to fight for and protect our core principles."

Agar promises to work hard for District 20.

"I will work diligently for our district so that small businesses, energy, agriculture and tourism can operate in a business friendly environment, allowing them to strive for success," he said.

Listening to the people within the district and seeking input is vital to his campaign, Agar said.

"I will be actively seeking input the next few months as I travel the district," he said.

"Please feel free to contact me anytime via phone; my number is listed in the book. A government of the people, by the people, for the people only works if you participate."

Bob Bayuk

Republican Bob Bayuk, a psychologist from Worland, said the biggest issues facing Wyoming are the economy, human services and education.

"The biggest part of the Wyoming economy is energy - coal, oil and gas," he said. "We have to do something about the economy to make it diverse so we are less dependent on a single sector that is so influenced by things outside of Wyoming. What I would like to see is diversifying the economy to take advantage of the resources that we have."

Education and human services are critical for the future of the Wyoming, Bayuk said.

"I think we need to fully support education," he said. "We need to fully support expansion and diversification of the economy. We need to fully support expansion of tourism and recreation and maintain what we have, especially in the human-services sector."

If elected, Bayuk said he will listen to what the people believe is important.

"I'm going to listen to what the people believe is important for them, what's important for their community and what's important for the state of Wyoming," he said. "My job as a psychologist has always been to listen to people and make their lives a little bit better."

Ron Harvey

Republican Ron Harvey said issues he is most concerned with are the state budget, Second Amendment rights, fighting against over-regulation of federal government agencies, creating jobs in Wyoming, allowing existing small businesses to prosper and transparency of government.

"I believe the legislature should set most of the interim topics towards department budgets and programs," he said.

"They must be operating at peak efficiency. Interim committees would be able to gather more information and take public comment. Currently, very little public comment is taken on the state's budget."

Educating youth is also extremely important, Harvey said.

"Education funding remains at the forefront of the legislative issues," he said. "Educating our youth is of the utmost importance."

If elected, Harvey said he will continue to work hard for the people he represents.

"I will take the information I'm gathering from the citizens of the district as I campaign and prepare bills that will reflect their message," he said.

Mary Jane Norskog

Democrat Mary Jane Norskog said the biggest issue facing Wyoming is the economy.

"I see Wyoming as a large full lake that has a dam lock on the spillway," she said. "If we don't retrain, reeducate and support this large garden (or out-of-work force) with irrigation or funding streams of support, we all lose."

Norskog said human services are also a key concern. Hospitals, mental health, family services, law enforcement and domestic facilities are being scaled back, which could have a huge ripple effect on Wyoming.

She also supports a living wage and a raise in minimum wage to $15 an hour and affordable housing. She is not opposed to gun ownership, but said responsibility and accountability should always come first.

If elected, Norskog said she will represent the people.

"I am here to listen to the people of Wyoming," she said. "State Senate is a large job interview. If elected, the people in the 20th District need to know their opinion matters and they have a responsible voice they can speak to."