Greene opens U.S. House campaign in Rock Springs

A longtime Rock Springs resident has become the first democrat to start campaigning for Wyoming's lone U.S. House of Representatives seat.

Ryan Greene kicked off his campaign at an event Saturday evening at the Freight Station in Rock Springs.

"It's the best news I've heard in a long time," Frank Prevedel, one of Greene's supporters told an audience of more than 250 people. "We need somebody who knows this state."

Greene is originally from Rock Springs and works for Greene's Energy Services, a business originally started by his father. Greene said many of the state's problems, including its boom and bust economic cycle and issue with young residents leaving the state, have existed for a long time. He said Wyoming's Republican leadership have offered the same solutions to the same problems, but doesn't believe those solutions have helped Wyoming out. Those solutions, he said, boil down to telling people the federal government is bad, regulation is bad and mention how Wyoming needs to diversify its economy.

"They're kind of like those Tickle Me Elmo Dolls, they're red and have three things to say," Greene said.

Greene said the energy industry is best suited to help the energy industry and would seek an opportunity to be placed on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to work with others in energy-rich states.

He also disagrees with the state's congressional delegation in their refusal to work with Democrats on key issues, saying he would work with congressmen on both sides of the aisle to help Wyoming.

While he is critical of the state's Republican leadership, Greene said he isn't looking to challenge Republican voters' political beliefs. He wants to challenge the career politicians in the Republican party, whom he believes have taken advantage of the state's conservative voters. He seeks to represent everyone living in the state, not just one party or another.

Greene hasn't held any political offices before deciding to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. Greene also admits he's an underdog in a race that has a multitude of Republican candidates actively running. Regardless, he seeks to earn as many votes he can, from both Democrats and Republicans.