Republicans
On the Issues
The answers below were solicited from candidates via a written questionnaire created by WyoFile reporters and editors in June 2026. Responses are presented exactly as submitted, without fact-checking, wordsmithing or editing for grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.
Legislative candidates were invited to respond to the questionnaire several times by email and by phone. Out of fairness to the candidates who met the deadline, WyoFile will not add responses after the guide's publication.
Where do you live currently? How long have you lived there? How long have you lived in Wyoming? Where were you born?
I reside at 922 17 Mile Road, Arapahoe, Wyoming. Built my home in 2019. I returned to Wyoming from Chandler, AZ in 2006. I was born in the metropolis of Riverton, Wyoming on a cold February morning as my dear mother told me, 1954
What age will you be on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026?
72 years young
Please tell the voters about yourself including your background and qualifications.
I am both Northern Arapaho(enrolled) and Mexican American, High School 1972-Tucson,AZ, Undergraduate-Brigham Young University, Secondary Education 1978, Arizona State University Graduate, Education Adm.1988; Justice Studies-Law and Policy, Arizona State University, ABD-All course requirements completed, dissertation completed, no defense.
I was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education(NACIE) for a two year term by George H.W. Bush, President of the United States. I returned back to Wyoming in 2006.(spring) Fall semester, 2006 I taught- Arapaho Charter High School one semester. January 2007 Northern Arapaho Tribe, Tribal Education Director through August 2009. August of 2009 -Instructor at Central Wyoming College, College of Liberal Arts through 2017(May). Rehired 2017 with Northern Arapaho Tribe as Tribal Education Director thru May 2024. Began doctoral program in 2020 with University of Wyoming, College of Education.
Most people involved in education policy say that children are Wyoming’s most important asset. What would be your top priority as superintendent to directly impact students' health, education and future?
Top Priority: assessment of WDE WY-Topp scores from 2020 to present; meet with all Wyoming Superintendents; field their goals, concerns and find consensus with staff, parent and superintendents in the development of the LEA, greater academic achievement. Secondly, I will visit every Wyoming school district in Wyoming. I will bring our leadership teams to Cheyenne for biannual meetings, create site hubs of local success and share with our legislative body and Governor. My commitment to success is a consensual, progressively positive action that will ensure the academic achievement of our K-12 students.
Do you think Wyoming is fulfilling its constitutional obligations to fund education? Why or why not?
The Wyoming constitution guarantees acceptable education for our students. The Wyoming legislative body obligates funding for our students K-12 education. It is my observation that Wyoming is fulfilling its constitutional obligations. Yes, there is a level of concern by some Wyoming citizenry. That too will be addressed when I am elected to the office of State Superintendent of Public Education
Wyoming’s academic test scores have been declining for several years. What do you see as the primary drivers of that slide and what would you do to address them as superintendent?
The purpose of testing is to to measure student mastery of the state's content and performance standards in reading, math, and science. These should be essential data to evaluate school accountability, inform teacher instruction and follow student growth. I do maintain that student growth is multifaceted, inclusive of academic achievement as measured by standardized tests, mirroring larger tensions that revolve around who has the power to define what schooling is. Standardized test arise from a paradigm that rank-orders students based on their mastery of a traditional curriculum. Tests can also ignore outcomes that students' communities may value. Wyoming has 48 public school district, 23 counties serving about 92,000 K-12 students. Yes, we are diversified. The reality is that our students must confront this testing.
Wyoming’s Steamboat Legacy Scholarship program is currently tied up in the courts. What outcome would you like to see for Wyoming's school voucher program, and why?
I have maintained that education should not be politicized. There are two camps, Parental Choice, Financial Flexibility, and Healthy Competition. There is a level empowerment for families, as choice matters, secondly they can use the funds for tuition sand extra-curriculars, there is a market based choice built in that this may improve student achievement. The argument against is realty based, it diverts Public Funds as public school should be the priority, the existing voucher program is harmful to rural communities, lastly, constitutional concerns, as this violates Article 7, section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution. I support choice of the parents, yet at the philosophical level public funds(tax payor) dollars are being misappropriated. Serious discussion at many levels MUST take place where consensus is found.
Wyoming has struggled to hire and retain teachers. How would you make Wyoming a place where people want to teach?
Our school districts along with the community should create strategies that promote teacher professionalism, development and greater levels of autonomy. What we want is to reduce teachers making premature exits. Factors include school climate, community culture, and school leadership. Does existing school leadership afford a voice to the teachers? I maintain that supporting teacher autonomy is critical. Does the district give teachers greater influence on selecting content, instructional materials and student evaluation as well as discipline? Lastly, does the district community provide a lifestyle that provides avenues of entertainment outside of the classroom? Inclusive of activities, social interaction and a genuine welcoming community should be in place.
The superintendent serves on the State Loan and Investment Board. How should the board coordinate with local communities when it comes to deciding state-sanctioned uses on state trust lands?
There are five members of this board in which the notion of appropriateness coupled with civility and engaging in quality and constructive free discussion. It is hoped that productive discourse is there as this relates to deciding state-sanctioned uses of trust lands. Generating revenue for public uses requires serious adherence to existing rule. This is dependent on use, recreation, leasing for agriculture or development. Wyoming has 3.6 millions acres of surface land, held in trust. Issues may include easements, grazing, timber and total asset management. An extremely important role that the Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction engages in.
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