Candidates for Elected Office
We can't win if we don't play!
The first step to asserting a progressive agenda is to find qualified candidates to run for elected office. Below is a list of all of the positions in or affecting Teton County. If you or someone you know is considering public service, please let us help you understand the role, the issues, and the process. The filing period is May 15th to May 30th so time is short!
At most of our Democratic Party events, you can speak with Democratic elected officials, campaign managers, and supporters to find out what public service really requires.
There will also be two Candidate Training Sessions during the Wyoming Democratic Convention in Jackson in May. The first session is May 23rd from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and the second session on how to use the Voter File data base will be May 25th from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Mickey Babcock at mcmickmem@earthlink.net
2008 Open Seats:
United States Senate: Two seats are open for one of the first times in the State's history. Incumbents are Mike Enzi of Gillette who announced his intention to run again on April 28th. He's raised approximately 650k as of May 1. The other incumbent is John Barrasso of Casper, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Senator Craig Thomas who died in mid-2007. Barrasso has raised $1.5m as of May 1.
Democrats who have announced their intention to file for the seats are: Nick Carter of Gillette and Keith Goodenough of Casper, running for the seat held by John Barrasso. The Carter website is http://www.nickforsenate.com/ and the Goodenough campaign has not yet set up its web site. The Democrat who currently has announced for the Enzi seat is Chris Rothfuss of Laramie, who's web site is http://www.rothfussforsenate.com/.
United States House of Representatives: Our own Gary Trauner needs no introduction in Teton County. The seven term incumbent, Barbara Cubin, is not running again and the seat is open. Several Republicans have already announced, but Gary has raised more money than others and polls strongly against all so far. He lost by only 1100 votes two years ago. This will be one of the most critical races in our State. Go to http://www.traunerforcongress.com/.
Wyoming State Senate - Senate District 16 representing portions of Sublette, Lincon and Teton counties. This seat is currently held by Pat Aulman, but rumor has it that she is not planning to run again. That remains to be seen. No Democrat has yet announced.
Wyoming State House of Representatives:
House District 16: Represents a large portion of Teton County and is currently held by Democrat Pete Jorgensen who is expected to run again.
House District 23: Currently held by Republican Keith Gingery. This district represents a lot of Teton County and also Dubois in Fremont County. No Democrat has yet announced for this seat.
House District 22: Previously held by Republican Monte Olson who has announced he will not run again. This is one of the most geographically bizarre districts in the State of Wyoming and represents Pinedale, Bondurant, Cora and Daniel in Sublette County, Hoback Junction and part of Wilson in Teton County, and Alpine in Lincoln County. We are proud and excited that Democrat, Jim Roscoe of Wilson and Boulder (in Sublette County) has announced his intention to run. Jim's web site is under construction at http://www.roscoeforwyoming.com/.
Teton County Commission: Two of the five seats are open in 2008. The terms are four years and the incumbents are Democrat, Andy Schwartz, Chairman of the Commission and Republican, Leland Christiansen. Both are expected to seek re-election. No one else has yet filed.
Other important non-partisan seats will be open in 2008 including School Board, Hospital Board and Town of Jackson. Jackson town government consists of the Mayor and four councilmen. Two council seats are open in 2008, currently held by Abe Tabatabi and Mark Obringer. Their intentions are not known. Mayor, Mark Baron has announced his intention to seek a 4th term.