Candidates introduce themselves at public forum

by Cindy Glasson and Jurri Schenck

The Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Hot Springs County Farm Bureau Federation hosted a Meet the Candidates Public Forum in Hot Springs State Park on July 20. Several state and local candidates running in this year’s election attended the forum and introduced themselves.

The following information was presented by the candidates who were present.

US Senate

Merav Ben-David – A professor of wildlife at the University of Wyoming, Ben-David watches our young people leaving the state for better opportunities, miners, oil workers – jobless, and no safety net or alternate source of income for our citizens. “Rescue, Reimagine, Rebuild” is the basis of her platform. Rescue: ensure Wyoming residents and businesses are provided loans to keep their families fed and their businesses running. “This would allow us to catch our breath,” she said. Reimagine: there is more to our state than just producing energy. Imagine new technologies and a skilled, Wyoming workforce ready to step in. Rebuild: In the wake of the Great Depression we had the New Deal. Imagine what a smart federal plan, combined with the technological strides of the past centure, can help us to in the upcoming decade.

Michael Kemler (R ) – A 40-year resident of Wyoming, Kemler supports the concept of “Make America Great Again” and believes we need to “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C. He is a believer in term limitations and would like to see Congress live like regular people do. “We have some serious challenges to our economy in Wyoming,” he said. “Our coal is hurting and we can save it.”

Bryan Miller (R) – After 23 years in military service, Miller retired a Lieutenant Colonel and became a rancher. He believes we need to actually bring Wyoming issues to Washington, D.C. and asks people to please be educated when they go to the polls to vote.

Cynthia Lummis (R)- (Mike Baker read a letter from Lummis) With eight years under her belt as the incumbent candidate, Lummis first apologized for not being able to be in Thermopolis for the forum. She went on to say she believes our economy and our country will be seeing a comeback “just around the corner.” Lummis reminded folks, too, that she brings seasoned leadership to the table.

Donna Rice (R) – A fourth generation Wyomingite, Rice believes we are at a critical time in our country and we do not need career politicians. “It will take effort and creativity,” she said, “but we are the solution.” Rice supports the Trump agenda, the sanctity of human life, the second amendment, religious liberty, border security, the defeat of socialism and a strong, national defense.

Josh Wheeler (R) – A twenty-year resident and combat veteran, Wheeler believes the national debt needs to be seriously looked at and paid down to secure our future responsibilities. He backs the second amendment and secure borders as well as maintaining a powerful national defense.

Robert Short (R) – Short hails from Glenrock where working on a ranch taught him the values of diligence, honesty, integrity and grit. He has worn many hats in his lifetime, working in coal, oil, gas, agriculture, tourism, retail, medical and plenty of volunteer work. He believes it is time to carry the message of Wyoming to Washington, D.C., work on the deficit and bring along some sensibility. A fiscal conservative, Short backs both the pro-life and pro-gun movements.

US Representative

Carl Beach – A Wyoming native, Beach made it clear he is not a politician, but rather an educator, humanitarian and activist deeply concerned with the direction of our state and our country. Beach believes in sustainable jobs, state and individual rights and conservation of our lands and natural resources. He believes in diversification of our economy to meet the needs of new businesses as well as providing the infrastructure and support for quality access to those industries. He also sees universal healthcare as an ethical, equitable and economical move for the country. Education is a must along with social security and supporting our seniors in rural America.

Wyoming State Senate (Dist. 20)

Roland Leuhne – Having moved to Thermopolis while in middle school, Leuhne is well known as the owner of the Star Plunge. He is pro law enforcement as well as pro ranching/farming. He is anti “new rules” and regulations and supports the constitution.

Linda Weeks – Weeks has worked with large teams during her career as well as multi-million dollar budgets. She is here to protect our rights, keep our government small and our taxes low. Weeks believes we need to take a good look at the state’s budget as well as economic development and education.

Ed Cooper – Hailing from Ten Sleep, Cooper believes he brings his Wyoming roots to the campaign as well as values and experience. A supporter of the second amendment, Cooper also believes in the right to life and is a voice for agriculture, our natural resources, and business opportunities.

The three candidates were asked how they feel about continuing the practice of allowing the public to make direct purchases of meats from ranchers.

Cooper said it was a great idea and believes we need to work on things like packing plants to help the ranchers market their products. “We need to make this possible for them,” he said.

Weeks said she feels we all need to begin thinking of farm to table. Right now she said there is a lot of backing for bringing mobile processing plants to the Big Horn Basin to help. “They already have mobile processing going on in Colorado,” she said. “I think allowing these could mean new jobs.”

Leuhne said even though we have fewer packers in Wyoming we need to work on the USDA regulations around the meat industry. “It could mean new jobs in the state,” he said.

Wyoming State House of

Representatives (Dist. 28)

John Winter – Incumbent John Winter says he has enjoyed his time in Cheyenne and would really like to continue his job of representing this district. “I have learned a lot and hope to do a better job,” he said. Winter is a Trump supporter and a member of the NRA as well as the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association and Hot Springs County Farm Bureau.

Dave Bayert – Hailing from Basin, Bayert says God told him to run in this election. His platform is the Bible and firmly believes we are “One Nation under God”. He told the audience it was time to get all of the Marxist propaganda out of our schools and the Bible back in.

The pair were then asked what their ideas were to diversify our economy.

Bayert said diversification will come if we turn back to God and let him bless us.

Winter said Wyoming has lots of resources and he doesn’t believe we’re through yet with oil, gas and coal. “We have to keep them going,” he said.

Hot Springs County Commissioners

Phillip Scheel – Scheel is running for re-election this year and said he has enjoyed working closely with the people of Hot Springs County. “We (the commissioners) are an extension of the state government at home,” he said. “I work hard as a local businessman and business is what drives people to live here.”

Sheel was asked what his thoughts were on converting from a dump to a transfer station.

He said the county currently subsidizes the town dump. “The DEQ has been working hard to close unlined dumps for years,” he said. “We’ll have to see what the city goes for.”

Precinct Committee

Men and Women

Although they did not speak at the forum, five folks running for Precinct Committee Men and Women were recognized. They were Cynthia Garbin, Phyllis Baker, Suzanne Samelson, Jean Skelton and Howie Samelson.

Town Council

Nonpartisan candidates for Thermopolis Town Council, Bill Malloy and Bradyn Harvey, introduced themselves at the forum.

  Bill Malloy is also up for reelection as a Town Council member and introduced himself as a Wyoming native who has been in Thermopolis for 55 years. He was born and raised in Laramie and graduated from the University of Wyoming. He taught music in Thermopolis for 42 years and was a substitute teacher for 13 years. He was the mayor for eight years. 

During his time as mayor, Malloy said, “we were told by the Governor of Wyoming to cut their budgets 10% every year for six years. We did that without laying anybody off. We did more infrastructure during those eight-years that has been done in that period of time in Thermopolis.” 

Bradyn Harvey was born and raised in Thermopolis. He moved away to go to college. He said he and his wife Shailee chose after college to raise their children here in town. 

Harvey said, “We are dedicated to the town of Thermopolis. I’m a hard-working individual, having worked in the oil fields for 10 years. I take pride in my work in the oil field. I can serve as a Council member because I am honest, I have great integrity, I support our local law enforcement and am wholehearted against big government. I love the town of Thermopolis and I want what is best for it in every way.” 

Harvey said that his main concern for the town is its financial future. He said that “due to our recent economic collapse brought on by the outbreak of the coronavirus, fiscal responsibility must be of our utmost importance.”