Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers speaks during last week’s candidate forum, held at the Strand Theatre in Evanston. Sommers is running for a Senate seat in next week’s Primary Election. Also pictured is Jared Crane, who is running for Uinta County Commission.

(HERALD PHOTO/Amanda Manchester)

EVANSTON — Voters appeared in large numbers to hear 20 candidates for city, county and state offices answer two questions and give their political statements on Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Strand Theatre.

The Evanston Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum. Chamber executive director Tammy Staley asked the questions. Each candidate was given two minutes to answer each question and two minutes for an opening statement before taking two minutes for a closing statement.

“If elected, how will you work together on pressing issues, foster collaboration and positive outcomes?” asked Staley. The second question followed the candidates’ timed responses and they were asked to “describe the proposals, actions and policies they will pursue.”

The first group to speak were those running for one open seat on the Uinta County Commission.

Jared Crane is a resident of Fort Bridger and the public works director. He serves on the Bridger Valley Joint Powers Board. He said that one of his and his constituents’ primary concerns are the roads and the fact that the road and bridge department is understaffed. Crane said he desires to rein in excess spending while “finding ways to keep and incentivize employees” and “that both sides of the county have representation ... to work together for future generations.”

Incumbent county commissioner Brent Hatch is seeking reelection and stressed an equally vested interest with constituents in the Bridger Valley. With an administrative and finance background, Hatch said that since he’s now retired, he is available to make the commission his top priority.

Hatch serves on the Wyoming County Commissioners Association (WCCA) to review tax bills before they reach the state legislature. Hatch cited the recent collaboration between the county commission and the city toward the improvement of the Uinta County Fairgrounds. He further asserted a desire to “protect our freedom, make this the best possible county and become more proactive and efficient with our spending.”

Noting the incoming Trona mines and nuclear power plant in nearby Lincoln County, Hatch said he’s concerned about managing the impact of a potential economic boom. He vowed to listen and understand what is best for the people, while continuing to seek out several funding opportunities.

Also running for county commissioner, former Sheriff Doug Matthews was born and raised in Evanston. Matthews cited his “moral compass, strong work ethic and experience,” including “managing the largest county budget of $4 million for eight years,” and thinking outside of the box. Matthews said he  enhanced the sheriff’s office’s resources by securing camera and radar donations. He said he wants to prioritize quality of life issues — including infrastructure and emergency services — and will continue seeking property tax reform, as well as to build roads, optimize mosquito spraying and prioritize mental health intervention support.

“I want to be a fierce advocate for you and work together with everyone, because a government closest to the people is the best government,” he said, noting room for improvement. 

Bridger Valley native Jace Nix, who is vice president of his family-owned business, GT Nix Construction, highlighted his 20-year experience with personnel management and budgeting as a small business owner as good experience for the position of county commissioner. Concerned about the current condition of the landfill and county roads, he said he’s eager to provide tools and a livable wage.

Looking to bridge the divide, he said, “Without compromise, there’s no business. I’m just your voice. My honesty and integrity mean more than anything. Decisions should represent the majority of the voters. I want to listen, and I will hear you. Let’s get back to our neighborly roots.”

Jon Pentz, an active Republican party committeeman, said he wants to “do more, be more” for the community he’s loved since moving to Evanston in 1989. With oilfield drilling and trucking experience, Pentz cites the ongoing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RFP) as a primary reason for running for office.

“Property taxes are out of control, and we need to work on county wages as a whole,” Pentz said.

A self-described “blue collar citizen,” Pentz said he wants to “speak for the people.” He explained that he’s worked with both sides of the aisle and that “we have to talk to the people; we have common interests and goals.” Pentz encouraged voters to do their due diligence exploring the “many great choices” of candidates.

The second group to speak were the candidates running for several city council seats.

Candidate for city council Ward 1, Henry Schmidt talked about his law enforcement background where he was responsible for a $6 million budget and his experience working with a variety of agencies and county offices. He stressed the need for economic development and growth, at the same time meeting fiscal responsibilities.

“My priorities are affordable housing, history preservation, youth programs, help for senior citizens and infrastructure. We need to research what programs and funding are available for all of these,” Schmidt said in his closing statement.

David “Mike” Slaughter, candidate for city council Ward 1, is a chemical engineer and rancher. Slaughter said he has worked with local, state, and federal agencies in his career. He has a strong interest in the arts and he and his wife Kathy are remodeling a historic building in downtown Evanston to provide a space for local artists’ work.

Slaughter said he thinks transparency in government is very important. In his closing statement Slaughter said, “We need a more responsive planning and zoning commission and a budget process that citizens can understand. Citizens are a valuable resource.”

He added that the city will lose a great resource for economic development if the State Hospital buildings are torn down.

Mikal Welling, also a candidate for city council Ward 1, spoke of his commitment to the city, having been born and raised in Evanston and currently working as a teacher at Evanston High School. He stressed the need for transparency in government, accountability, open communication, sustainable development and the need to collaborate with other officials. Welling said he will listen to residents’ concerns.

“I will be the voice of the people and will take your ideas to the council,” he said. “I have a vested interest in young people and will work towards creating jobs for them here.”

Mike Sellers, incumbent seeking reelection for city council Ward 2, said he is highly invested in the city and wants to continue to give back. Sellers has a local business and said he has a broad understanding of the needs of the city and practices open communication with residents. He is involved in several organizations like the Rotary and the suicide prevention team and was a nurse with the Veterans Association for many years.

“There is a problem with people not getting the support they need for economic development from the city or the county. There are some people who are derailing growth. We don’t have to have hatred. Listening allows us to come up with better solutions. Keep your core values but be open to others point of view,” Seller said.

Evan Perkes, incumbent and seeking reelection to city council Ward 3, said he thinks he still has a lot to offer by serving on the council. He said he is seeking reelection to continue to give back to the city and he appreciates input from citizens.

In his closing statement, Perkes said, “We have to hear others and admit when we are wrong. Anyone who has an ax to grind won’t work. The city has to prioritize, and infrastructure is a priority.”

Shawn Saban is running against Perkes. He is a lifetime resident of Evanston. He said he is especially interested in trying to get jobs and industry to the area so young people will have opportunities for good jobs so they can stay here.

“We can’t depend on other counties to help Evanston. We need to look for businesses and other industry to come here so kids have jobs,” Saban said. “We have to work together; disagree without being disagreeable.”

The lone candidate to attend the forum running for mayor of Bear River was Lance Norris. His opponent, Clyde Koefed, was not in attendance. Norris is a Randolph, Utah, native but he and his wife moved to Bear River 15 years ago. He has served on the town council for eight years. Norris said he appreciates a challenge and wants to continue to serve the people of Bear River.

“There is a danger of running on policy — we may be blind to consequences,” Norris said. “What services are we willing to give up in order to lower taxes? There is always a cause and effect. I want to work with other mayors to research funding opportunities.”

Candidates for state offices were the last group to speak at the forum.

Republican incumbent Jon Conrad has served for the last two years as the state representative for House District 19 and is running for reelection. Conrad said he has vast experience serving on local, state, and national committees and has a master’s degree in business administration.

He said he is committed to putting Wyoming families first by reducing taxes, defending family values, fighting federal overreach and securing the Second Amendment.

“If reelected I will continue to protect the state’s natural resources and imminent domain; to take care of our elderly, work on suicide prevention, against Rocky Mountain Power’s rate increases and the crisis at the border. We have to close the gap on polarization,” Conrad said. “We all want to make Wyoming a great state and a house divided will fall, it takes all of us working together.”

Republican Joe Webb is running against Conrad, and he said his views align more closely with Uinta County residents. He has 16 years in law enforcement and 14 years with the Uinta County school district as technology director. He said, like the citizens of Wyoming, he is concerned about transparency in government and will fight to reduce property taxes.

Webb said in closing, “You can only make good decision with good data, and good decisions don’t always please everyone. Personal attacks are unproductive. We need transparency in government. I will work to protect families and children and state’s rights from federal overreach. We need to control spending and address high property taxes.”

Rep. Ryan Berger, a Republican who currently represents House District 49, is a longtime Evanstonian and educator. He currently serves on the state’s Education Committee; the Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee; and the State Workforce Investment Board, and maintains that he’s “loved every minute of serving” in the House.

Berger said he voted in favor of all property tax relief efforts. He expressed the importance of fair, equitable and sustainable tax relief while recognizing that “every community is different and deserves local control. You have to have fair, workable and sustainable solutions and you have to listen to people.”

Berger said his legislative priorities include agriculture, energy resources, jobs, education, mental health and infrastructure.

Berger’s challenger, Republican Robert Wharff, has resided in Evanston since 2000 and is the executive director of Wyoming Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. Wharff said the “government is taxing us so exorbitantly” and that while “politics can be nasty, it can be a fight, but you want to know what people want, what their concerns are.”

He stressed transparency and accountability. He said that he looks forward to forming coalitions and collaborating toward common goals. Wharff’s closing statement echoed Webb’s, emphasizing state’s rights while summarizing that “the federal government is out of control. Individuals should determine spending, not the government.”

Rep. Scott Heiner, Republican incumbent running for reelection to House District 18, grew up on a dairy farm, was operation manager at the Carter Creek gas plant and has lived in southwest Wyoming for 35 years. He said by being a “down home” representative, he will solve local problems and represent local residents.

He cited several examples of problems he has solved for local residents through working with other agencies and government offices. In closing Heiner said, “Inflation and property taxes are the biggest issues. I will preserve and protect our mineral resources as my priority.”

Republican Tom Crank of Kemmerer is running against Heiner. Crank is a private business owner and said he is committed to keeping local kids in Wyoming and will work with industries to develop internships. He said he will listen to citizens and work to collaborate with officials on solutions.

“Economic development is an investment in Wyoming, and local communities should get some of that money the state put into savings for economic development. I will work toward serving on the revenue committee in order to ensure more local control,” Crank said in his closing statement.

Staley then asked two local political candidates who were in the audience to come to the stage and share their messages.

Current Wyoming Speaker of the House and House District 20 incumbent Albert Sommers, a Republican, was in attendance to announce his run for Senate District 14. Sommers said his priorities include education, jobs/industries, Wyoming water rights, tax relief and recreation.

“I care about what you have to say,” Sommers told attendees.

Lincoln County Republican Laura Taliaferro Pearson is running against Sommers. As a sheep rancher and school bus driver, she cited the 2020 election, COVID-19 pandemic and “left wing takeover” as her reasons for seeking office.

“You will be my employer,” she said of Wyoming ranchers and teachers, the latter of whom “don’t have a voice [because they’re] scared to lose their jobs,” and “they [teachers] don’t agree with what the WEA (Wyoming Education Association) is doing.” Pearson vowed accountability, transparency and “good conservative leadership to ‘right the ship.’”