By Leo Wolfson, State Politics Reporter
leo@cowboystatedaily.com
State Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, has been reelected for a fourth term.
“I’m proud to have the support of all the voters and I’m proud to represent all three counties (Crook, Weston, Campbell) I represent in Cheyenne,” Driskill told Cowboy State Daily.
Driskill dominated the Crook County vote, the largest percentage of voters in his three-county district. A good portion of Campbell County ballots has been counted with Driskill also winning the early and absentee ballots in that county by a healthy margin. All Weston County returns also were in.
The reelection paves the way for Driskill to be Senate president, a position he is a frontrunner for based on the seniority he holds as Senate Majority floor leader. Driskill said the opportunity to take this position was a major motivation behind his decision to run again.
Driskill’s reelection campaign was not free of drama. The Crook County Republican Party rejected his request for an endorsement and a financial contribution. The chairman of the party also is treasurer for the campaign run on behalf of his write-in opponent, Roger Connett.
Driskill said he was bothered by the fact supporters of Connett were asked by local law enforcement to remove campaign signs that were too close to a polling place.
“They knew exactly what they were doing,” Driskill said.
Driskill beat Connett and Rep. Bill Fortner, R-Gillette, during the primary election. He beat Connett, the second-place finisher in that race, by 442 votes.
Driskill had no Democratic opponent in the general election.
During his 11 years in the Legislature, Driskill has passed bills establishing food freedom and blockchain technology in Wyoming, efforts he said created more jobs in the state. In 2013, Driskill also helped pass a bill that allows hunters to use silencers, legislation he said partly inspired an ammunition manufacturer to move its headquarters to Sundance.
