Republicans face choices on ballot

Voters will have a few decisions to make during the upcoming primary election Aug. 21.

A number of local and state races will be impacted by the primary results, which will serve to whittle down the number of candidates running for their respective offices.

In Green River, voters in Ward I will have a three-way race on their ballots. Ward I candidates are Terry Leigh, Sherry Bushman and Jim Zimmerman. The August election will determine which two will continue to the November general election, with the candidate receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the race. The same is true for the Granger mayoral race, which will pit incumbent Sandy Allen against Bradly McCollum and Anselmo “Hippy” Valerio Jr. In Rock Springs, a four-way race has developed where Ryan Greene, Kathy Phelps, Matthew Jackman and Tim Kaumo seek election as the next mayor.

For Republicans voting for Sweetwater County Commissioner, they will have five candidates to choose from, with the top three moving on to the general election. Incumbents Randy Wendling and John Kolb will join Jeffrey Smith, Allan Jarnagin and Roy Lloyd on the ballot. The two Democrats running, incumbent Reid West and Joe Barbuto, automatically move on to the general election as the two are the only Democrats competing for the three commission positions up for election.

Republicans will also have to determine if Delbert Gray or John Grossnickle will take on incumbent Democrat Mike Lowell for Sweetwater County Sheriff in November.

In races for positions within the Wyoming Legislature, Sweetwater County Republicans living in House District 18 will have the choice between incumbent Thomas Crank and Scott Heiner. The winner will go on to the general election without a Democrat as an opponent.

At the state level, the largest race taking place is between the candidates seeking to become the next state governor. On the Republican ballot, six people seek the nomination. They are Foster Friess, Bill Dahlin, Harriet Hageman, Mark Gordon, Sam Galeotos and Taylor Haynes. Four Democrats also seek the nomination from their party, Mary Throne, Kenneth Casner, Michael Allen Green and Rex Wilde.

Republicans will also have choices to make in the races for state auditor and state treasurer. For auditor, they will choose between Kristi Racines and Nathan Winters. The winner of that election will face Democrat Jeff Dockter in the general election.

For state treasurer, Curt Meier, Leland Christensen and Ron Redo will be on the Republican ballot.

The winner of that primary won’t have to worry about a Democrat challenger in November.

The two races for Wyoming’s representation in Washington D.C., feature a number of Republicans vying for the nomination. For U.S. Senator, incumbent John Barrasso faces five opponents in his primary re-election bid. Charlie Hardy, Dave Dodson, John Holtz, Anthony Van Risseghem and Roque De La Fuente seek the Republican nomination. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Gary Trauner in the general election.

For the state’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, incumbent Liz Cheney faces two Republican challengers. Blake Stanley and Rod Miller both seek Cheney’s spot. The winner of that race will face the winner of the Democrats’ primary between Greg Hunter and Travis Helm.