Resident elected to head Democrats

Wyoming’s Democrats decided new leadership is needed and chose a Rock Springs resident to head up the state party.

Two weeks ago, Joe Barbuto was elected chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party during a meeting in Sheridan. Barbuto replaces Ana Cuprill, a Democrat from Sublette County. He will serve a two-year term, which is up in 2019.

Barbuto is a former state legislator, having serviced residents in Rock Springs living in House District 48. He’s also served as chair of the Sweetwater County Democratic Party and was most recently the campaign manager for Ryan Greene’s failed election bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016. As the state party’s chairman, he becomes a super delegate in presidential primary elections and oversees the party’s executive director. He also leads the party’s central committee and is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with other state groups.

Barbuto said the state needs a strong Democratic party to provide balance in Wyoming, saying people on both sides of the political spectrum support that idea. While he hopes to convince Democrats across the state to enter into campaigns for local and state offices, Barbuto said his first goals involve drafting a longterm strategic plan for the party. With the plan in place, Barbuto hopes to show it to people interested in donating their time and money to the party and the upcoming 2018 elections.

“You’d never invest in a business without a business plan,” he said.

So far, Barbuto said he’s seen an incredible amount of support from other Democrats following his election. Barbuto said a lot of work needs to be done to build the party up, but believes he as a great team in place and a great group of county leaders across the state to work with. He said Democrats across the state are “fired up” and ready to work hard.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve the Democratic Party and the state,” he said. “I’m definitely not in this alone.”