LUSK — Like many people around Wyoming, voters in Niobrara County told Cowboy State Daily they are concerned about inflation and want to ensure a vibrant energy sector and strong representation.
And they think JD Williams is the person to represent them in Wyoming House District 2 to help make that happen.
Niobrara County Clerk Becky Freeman told Cowboy State Daily that close races for the county commission and the showdown for HD 2 helped bring people out to vote.
In the end, they gave the edge to former legislator JD Williams over incumbent Allen Slagle in a rematch of the 2022 Republican primary.
Rep. Slagle, R-Lingle, beat Williams by 12 votes in that race, triggering a mandatory recount.
This time, however, Williams won the contest by a wide margin.
Williams took a strong lead early in the night with 599 votes from Niobrara County, which was 66.85% of that county’s vote. Slagle took 296 votes there, or 33.04%.
Slagle went on to win Goshen County with 387 votes, or 52.3% of that county’s voters, while Williams took 350, or 47.3%.
In Weston County, the candidates were evenly matched, with Williams beating Slagle by just two votes, 578 to 576.
The Niobrara County surge kept Williams on top of the race, which he finished with 1,527 votes to Slagle’s 1,259.
There isn’t a Democratic contender listed for the general election, making it likely Williams will have the seat come November.
Slagle Hopes Williams Will Watch Out For Property Rights
Slagle, like Williams, is a native Wyomingite and a rancher.
However, as a member of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Slagle is a little further right on the spectrum than Williams, who made a name for himself during his previous term as a practical conservative.
Slagle supported bills that would have restricted most forms of abortion, as well as a bill to eliminate all gun-free zones in the state.
He also supported a bill that would have re-imposed a moratorium on energy producers’ ability to use condemnation to use property through 2032 in Wyoming — a bill that was vetoed by Gov. Mark Gordon.
Slagle told Cowboy State Daily he wishes Williams well in the next term.
“Obviously, the people preferred him over myself,” he said. “So, I just wish him the best of luck as he takes over that seat.”
Slagle said he hopes that Williams will pay close attention to private property rights and keep the reigns tight on the state’s budget.
Wyoming Worth Investing In
Williams told Cowboy State Daily that he thinks most Wyoming ranchers, himself included, tend to be particularly conservative when it comes to spending money.
“I think we are frugal by nature, and we have a tendency to be stingy,” he said. “But sometimes we have to fight that. Wyoming is worth investing in and we have to think of it that way.”
Wisely investing in the Cowboy State is something that’s going to be on his mind in the upcoming legislative term.
“I’d say (my top priorities) are being effective,” he said. “Our core industries must be protected. Coal, oil and gas, agriculture and tourism. We absolutely must be effective in that. It’s a struggle.
“For a rural county, we have to keep those industries in mind whatever policy we craft, because that’s what pays our bills, and that’s why we’re the last best place.”
Williams told Cowboy State Daily in April that he was unimpressed with recent divisions in the legislature, particularly the intense infighting that delayed approval of a budget during the legislative session this year to the very last day.
“Wyoming people deserve better,” he said, suggesting too many have focused on federal talking points that are a distraction from real Wyoming issues.
“Wyoming needs more regular folks like us, thinking seriously about the next generation, and less of these politician type who think only of the next election,” he said.
Williams said he will fight against federal government overreach, including BLM’s proposed Resource Management Plan for Rock Springs field office, and that he supports mitigating steep property tax increases and bolstering Wyoming’s legacy industries.
Contact Renee Jean at renee@cowboystatedaily.com
Renée Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.
