Wyoming’s primary election won’t be held until August 18, but a flurry of candidate filings for office Friday added to the size of the primary ballot.
Friday was the deadline for potential candidates to submit their paperwork to run for office.
As usual, a fairly large number of candidates for the state Legislature find themselves unopposed in their efforts to be sworn in for a new term. This happens when only one candidate files from either party.
In the Senate, five Republicans and three Democrats face no primary or general election opposition. In the House of Representatives, 19 Republicans are unopposed, as are seven Democrats.
On the national level, there is high interest in becoming a U.S. Senator to succeed retiring Senator Mike Enzi.
A review of the Secretary of State’s website shows 10 Republicans filed to run in the primary election, including two who do not live in Wyoming.
Star Roselli of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Devon Cade of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both filed for the office held by Enzi for three terms, joining former U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis on the candiate roster.
Others seeking the Republican nomination for the field are Bryan Miller of Sheridan, Donna Rice of Casper, John Holtz of Laramie, Josh Wheeler of Casper, Michael Kemler of Lander, R. Mark Armstrong of Centennial and Robert Short of Douglas.
Democrats on the primary ballot include former gubernatorial candidate Rex Wilde of Cheyenne, James Kirk DeBine of Evansville, Kenneth Casner of Elk Mountain, Merav Ben David of Laramie, Nathan Wendt of Jackson and Yana Ludwig of Laramie.
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney is being challenged in her primary bid by Blake Stanley of Banner.
Three Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination for Wyoming’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as well, including South Dakota resident Carol Hafner. Other candidates are Carl Beach of Saratoga and Lynnette Grey Bull of Fort Washakie.
A review of filings for legislative seats turns up some interesting facts. In Senate District 18, held by Sen. Hank Coe, R-Cody, four Republicans filed for the office, but no Democrats did. Coe did not file for re-election.
A pair of long-serving state senators are facing primary challenges, Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Gillette and Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper. The two, who have almost 60 years of legislative experience between them, each face one primary opponent.
This is the same situation in Senate District 28, held by Sen. Jim Anderson, R-Casper, where challenger Ryan Jackson has filed for the Republican primary.
Other than the U. S. Senate and House races there are no other statewide contests. The five state elected officials are up in 2022.
