I live on the Sommers Ranch along the Green River in Sublette County. I have lived there my entire 67 years of life. I was born in the hospital in Jackson Wyoming.

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I am a life long Sublette County rancher that has served both the rancher community, my local communities, and the State of Wyoming for decades on various boards and commissions. I served for 12 years in the Wyoming House of Representatives, and I was Speaker of the House for the 67th Legislature (2023-2024).

At a statewide level, how does Wyoming do a better job of youth retention. This is coupled with the greater challenge of how does Wyoming grow through economic development (providing jobs for Wyoming's youth), while preserving the custom, culture, values and landscapes of Wyoming and its people. Wyoming cannot say no to everything. We have to enable and welcome industries to Wyoming, but under our terms. I am a big supporter of local control. Let local communities decide what is best for them through their local siting regulations. The State needs to make sure industries don't negatively impact our water, our environment and our electric grid.

Locally, the issues and politics around the Colorado River and its tributaries are of paramount importance. Wyoming needs to invest in our Attorney General's office to fight for our water, investment in the State Engineer's office, and invest in water projects in the basin and around the state(including water conservation projects).

Having served 12 years in the Wyoming Legislature, I know that I cannot be an expert in every arena. I think we need to turn to our very competent Department of Health, Wyoming Medical and Insurance professionals, and health advocacy groups to seek solutions that work for Wyoming. Wyoming's small population creates incredibly difficult challenges for providing low cost healthcare.

I support SJ0009, Keeping public lands protected and decisions local - This resolution passed last session. The core of it is this: That the Wyoming Legislature opposes any state or federal legislation or policy that promotes the broad or indiscriminate sale or exchange of public lands. That the state of Wyoming demands Congress and federal agencies respect existing land management frameworks, county land-use plans and the voices of local communities. That the Wyoming Legislature supports responsible, locally supported land exchanges, adjustments or disposals under existing laws and procedures when they demonstrably enhance public access, natural resource use or community benefit. That the Wyoming Legislature supports adequately funding state and federal agencies and the corresponding programs that exist so that the agencies can efficiently and effectively review land purchases, exchanges or limited disposals under the existing legal framework.

I prioritized property tax relief during my term as Speaker of the House, we passed at least five pieces of legislation designed for tax relief. Subsequently, the Legislature has passed even more relief. We are now at a point where we are impacting local government services and funding for education. Any property tax relief going forward must be carefully weighed against its impacts to local government and education funding. Property taxes was how Wyoming's founders, literally its embedded in our Constitution, funded local government and education. Property taxes is embedded in so many areas of the law that eliminating them would require years of work. How would we replace those revenues and with an increase in what kind of tax? I believe I have the experience to understand these big picture issues, and how to navigate the best solutions.

I support the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Energy Authority. I support both of their efforts to attract business to Wyoming. We need jobs to retain our youth. Every state in the nation does this. I do agree that we need to take a hard look at the Wyoming Business Council to determine what is working, what is not working, and how we should move the Council to best serve Wyoming.

I accept personal donations to my campaign from individuals. I am NOT currently taking any PAC money for my campaign. I have done it both ways in past elections. I think Wyoming's system is within the constraints of what the courts will allow. Any real reform would take a US Constitutional Amendment. I am open to the idea of campaign reform. The Dark Money PACs that have invaded Wyoming politics are making campaigns more expensive and are often misleading voters.