Dear editor:
As Chairman of the Fremont County Republican party, I am disappointed in a few Republican candidates who have declined to participate in public forums/debates to help inform Republican voters.
I have been working for two months with the Republican Women of Fremont County PAC to organize various events.
Just over a month ago I was contacted by the League of Women Voters to help organize events.
Initially I rejected the idea of teaming up with a nonpartisan organization, when my goal is to nominate Republican candidates that will win the election in November.
However, Tara Berg (Republican Women President) and I were assured by The League that they would defer to us regarding the format of the events and the topics of all questions asked.
The League would then pay for all of the promotion, provide some manpower, and live stream each event.
In the end, we have worked out a format and drafted questions that meet our goal of educating Republican voters.
I have been involved in local Republican politics for almost 40 years.
I have never seen a group of individuals running for office that were “too conservative” to answer questions in front of voters about education funding, property tax reform, rural healthcare, and state spending!
My concern is that if Tim Salazar, Pepper Ottman, Tina Clifford, and Joel Guggenmos will not face voter questions before the election, will they listen to us if elected?
Scott Harsnberger
Lander
