Large primary races develop for commissioner, treasurer

Nearly a week into the filing period for candidates, two large races have developed amongst Republicans seeking office.

Those interested in seeking office have until May 27 to file as a candidate.

In Green River, only incumbents have filed for election so far. Mayor Pete Rust filed to seek a third term as the city’s mayor, while Mike Shutran and Gary Killpack have filed for re-election in Ward II and Ward III respectively.

According to filing information from the Sweetwater County Clerk’s Office, six Republicans have filed to seek three available seats on the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners. Island Richards, Lester Mauch and Jeff Ramaj are joined by Rock Springs resident Chris Davis, current Rock Springs City Councilman Keaton West and former Sweetwater County Treasurer Robb Slaughter in seeking election to the position.

Prior to filing, Slaughter shifted his party affiliation to the GOP, having been a Democrat while he served as the county treasurer.

Slaughter said the reason why he changed parties was due to philosophical differences he now has with the party. He said when he initially registered as a Democrat, the county was in a different place and had very strong union support. However, not only has the county changed over the years, but the stances of the Democratic Party have shifted further to more left-leaning priorities. He said the party doesn’t reflect his values now.

“I simply cannot fathom being affiliated with the Democratic Party,” he said.

Slaughter said he didn’t change to simply attract votes and approached the Sweetwater GOP last month to explain his position and the reasoning why he changed parties, saying he believes the party has accepted him.

For Sweetwater County Treasurer, three Republicans and one Democrat are vying for the position. Treasurer Joe Barbuto is the only Democrat filed for the position, while three Republicans have filed to unseat him, creating a three-way primary election in August. The race will be between Rock Springs residents Tony Yerkovich, Mark Cowan and Stephen Allen.

Races in the Republican primary have developed for Sweetwater County Sheriff and Sweetwater County Clerk as well. Sheriff John Grossnickle faces a challenger in by former Rock Springs Police Chief Dwane Pacheco.

Sweetwater County Clerk Cindy Lane will face an employee in her office, Anita Frey, in the primary.

Some county incumbents are so far unopposed in their re-election bids.

Sweetwater County Assessor Dave Divis, Sweetwater County Clerk of District Court DonnaLee Bobak and Sweetwater County Coroner Dale Majhanovich are the sole candidates filing for their respective offices. Divis and Bobak are Republicans while Majhanovich is a Democrat.

In Rock Springs, Jeannie Demas has filed for re-election to her Ward I seat while former Sweetwater County Commissioner Wally Johnson has filed to replace Tim Kaumo as mayor of the city.

Kaumo has not filed to seek re-election as of press time.

In Wamsutter, Gerald Proberts and Dustin Davis have filed to seek election to the town council, while no one has yet filed to run for the town’s mayoral seat.

No one has filed to seek election to the Granger Town Council or to the town’s mayoral seat.

Legislative races

Many incumbents have filed to seek re-election to their seats within the Wyoming Legislature, with only one Democrat having so far filed for local house and senate districts.

In Senate District 13, Tom James, R-Green River, has filed for his second term as a state senator. His wife Jennifer James has filed for election in House District 60 as a Republican, following an announcement by Rep. Mark Baker, R-Green River, that he would not seek re-election.

In House District 17, Democrat Chad Banks has filed to seek election for a second term in the Wyoming House of Representatives, but faces a Republican challenger in Joshua Thomas Larson.

Scott Heiner, R-Green River, is seeking re-election for House District 18 and is unopposed in that race as of press time.

Clark Stith, R-Rock Springs, is also unopposed in his re-election bid to House District 48.