Wyoming Gubernatorial Race Forum Features 6 Candidates

The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the Gubernatorial Race forum featuring 7 Candidates.

Gay Woodhouse of Woodhouse Roden Nethercott, LLC moderated the event and addressed during the session were business and economic issues.

Candidates included:

• Foster Friess
• Sam Galeotos
• Mark Gordon (answered questions in advance)
• Harriett Hageman​
• Taylor Haynes
• Bill Dahlin
• ​Mary Throne

“I saw us going down the same roads and expecting the same results.” Mary Throne, Candidate for Governor shared why she chose to run, “We don’t have to be a boom or bust State.”

When asked about economic diversification and the role in technology:

Candidate Bill Dahlin shared that the Wyoming Business Council was created to diversify our State but we are still heavily dependent on the energy sector. He plans to apply organic growth methods for advancement, this is looking at products like industrial hemp. If it can grow in Wyoming, we need to prioritize it shared Dahlin. Candidate Foster Friess said it is important to prioritize the businesses we already have. His philosophy is to grow our own and brand Wyoming as a product amenity using the example of Wyoming Beef.

Small Business success is critical to our community’s economy, what policies would you put in place as Governor:

Candidate Taylor Haynes expressed we have to reform how we do education and further included information technology as a requirement to improve our base for future entrepreneurs. Candidate Mary Throne shared that small business are the engine of our future. There are technological issues for small businesses throughout the state because of the limited accessibility to broadband. She was a part of a legislature effort to fix this problem and was successful this last session. Therefore the prides herself on those strategic partnerships to tap into other funding sources to address those issues.

We need workers in the State according to Candidate Sam Galeotos. This poses to be the primary issues for small businesses according to his findings ina small business advisory group we assembled.

What will you do to ensure funding for our State’s largest employers; FE Warren and Wyoming Military’s Department.

Candidate Harriett Hageman shared that the modernization is critical to our State, City of Cheyenne and even more critical to our Nation’s security. As a Governor this is a major priority for Hageman because they are such important parts of our economy.

Galeotos further expressed that the Congressional delegation will be primary in making sure GBSD is funded. We will need to help position our Base to receive the upgrades first.

When asked about revenue issues in our State specifically addressing school and infrastructure issues, the candidates had this to say:

Friess said we need to focus on maintaining our friendly tax environment and provide solutions through income.

“So many of the projects we are talking about will require a State Income tax, I am against this tax.” Declared Hageman.

She further shared reform recommendations, best practices for resources and her outline for effective ways to approach this issue.

Transportation is critical to the State and particularly to the City of Cheyenne, how will you help provide solutions for needs in infrastructure:

Dahlin spent many years in the Rail Road industry and expressed that he will be careful in how to fund that kind of service.

Throne thinks that we need to make better decisions in this State before we can successfully approach a commuter rail investment. This is a “pie in the sky” dream if we don’t re-think transportation. Going down the same road is fiscally irresponsible.

Haynes is not interested in funding a transportation project that is connecting of the State because he thinks we need to fund transportations within the interior of the State.

The candidates then addressed audience submitted questions and remained after to further visit with attendees.

Century 21 Bell Real Estate, Holland & Hart and MHP, LLP sponsored the event. This initiative is primarily supported by the below:

• ALIGN
• ANB Bank
• Black Hills Energy
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming
• Blue Federal Credit Union
• Burns Insurance Agency Inc.
• Century 21 Bell Real Estate
• Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange
• Express Employment Professionals
• Harmony Hearth & Home
• HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC
• Jonah Bank
• Magic City Enterprises
• Members:
• MHP, LLP
• Pinnacle Bank
• RE/MAX Capitol Properties
• Security First Bank
• Spradley Barr Motors
• Valpak of Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming
• Western States Bank
• Western Vista Credit Union
• Woodhouse Roden Nethercott