Candidates seek legislative seats

Several people have announced their intent to seek election to various county and state offices in the past two weeks.

At the county level, Donnalee Bobak, the Sweetwater County Clerk of District Court, announced she will seek re-election in 2022.

“I want to thank the citizens of Sweetwater County for their confidence in allowing me to serve them, and humbly ask for your continued support,” Bobak said in her announcement.

Throughout her term, Bobak said she has worked on several initiatives, including serving on the design committee for FullCourt, a case management system her office will convert to in August. She said her office also started a new jury program in 2020 which allows potential jurors to electronically fill out court questionnaires and notify when they would not be available.

“A lot of people enjoy the convenience but rest assured that those who aren’t computer literate can mail their questionnaires in and a written summons is mailed out to everyone. There will never be a question of whether or not you’re on jury duty,” she said.

In races for the Wyoming Legislature, Mark Baker, R-Green River, announced he would not be seeking re-election to his House District 60 seat.

“It has been an honor to serve in the legislature again and I have been humbled by the opportunities and friendships that have been created,” he said in a press release.

Baker said he will continue serving Sweetwater County through the rest of his term, saying he is dedicated to advocating for local projects such as the alternate route between Green River and Rock Springs he has championed since being elected to the legislature.

Baker said he is excited for the rest of his term.

“Both the Joint Transportation Committee and the Wyoming Transportation Commission will host meetings in Rock Springs,” he said. “This will allow us to continue the discussion of local infrastructure for the next year.”

Scott Hiner, R-Afton, announced he would seek re-election to his House District 18 seat, which now encompasses Jamestown and portions of Green River.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent southwest Wyoming for the past two years,” he said in his announcement. “House District 18 encompasses parts of Lincoln, Uinta and Sweetwater Counties and I have tried to listen and respond to the concerns of citizens in each of the communities that I have been entrusted to represent.”

Hiner serves on the Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, which he said allows him to be at the forefront of legislation to support nuclear power in Wyoming and extend the life of the state’s existing coal power plants.

He also serves on the Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee.

“My voting record shows that I am a true conservative as I strive to limit government growth and improve transparency of where public money is being spent,” he said.

In House District 47, which is made up of portions of Carbon and Sweetwater Counties, Robert Davis announced his intent to run as a Republican for the seat.

Davis has served as a Carbon County Commissioner and currently serves as a Little Snake River Conservation District, the Water Conservancy District and is a governor-appointed member of the Wyoming Gaming Commission.

“I would like to continue to serve Carbon and Sweetwater Counties as your representative in the Wyoming House of Representatives, where I can bring my conservative values, pro-Second Amendment rights and, pro-life beliefs to the Wyoming Legislature,” he said in his announcement.

Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier announced his campaign to seek re-election Friday through a press release.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of our great state as Wyoming’s Treasurer, and it is my desire to continue providing effective leadership, solid returns, and excellent service in managing the people’s investments,” he said.

Curt was elected in 2018 after serving 24 years in the Wyoming Senate.

In the first three years of his term, the office’s investments grew from $20.12 billion to more than $25.05 billion.

A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Curt holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science, and is a successful businessman. He operates a farm and ranch in his hometown of La Grange, and formerly owned and operated an irrigation business. His wife, Charlene, was an elementary school teacher until she retired in 2019 after serving the children of Goshen County for 45 years.