SHERIDAN — Secretary of State Chuck Gray bashed data centers repeatedly and clashed with the moderator during a U.S. House forum and debate Tuesday night in Sheridan,
Casper businessman Reid Rasner criticized Gray multiple times. Both philanthropist Steve Friess and Army Col. Kevin Christensen asserted that they’re leading the race with Gray.
And a few candidates derided the significant wealth streaming into this race.
Wyoming Public Television (PBS) hosted the forum at Sheridan Community College. Both PBS and Wyoming Public Media streamed it.
PBS public affairs producer Steve Peck moderated the forum, which also featured a short debate phase. He warned candidates they should be civil and avoid prolonged challenges or pointed attacks on their opponents, or they’d be interrupted.
Cowboy State Daily and Wyoming Public Media panelists asked questions about whether Congress should legislate rules around license-plate reader cameras, and who is responsible for implementing artificial intelligence protection framework.
Gray answered both questions with repeated references to data centers, which are computer server warehouses that store data – including for AI – and are a flashpoint issue this election cycle.
“Well, I’m the only candidate on stage that has been talking about these data AI data centers and expressed my opposition to these AI data centers,” said Gray, who also referenced mandated kill switches in vehicles and automated workforces.
Other candidates have spoken of data centers, but only Gray has indicated a desire to ban them at the federal level from Washington, D.C.
Senate President Bo Biteman said the states shouldn’t be cut out of the ability to ban or approve data centers, and communities should have the most control over their local permitting decisions for them.
That has been Friess’s stance, and former U.S. Army ranger David Giralt echoed that approach Tuesday night also.
Rasner agreed with the local-control stance Tuesday night, and used the topic as a chance to deride Gray.
“And I find it very suspicious even our own secretary of state signed off on an AI data center less than 1 mile away from our nuclear facilities and (FE) Warren Air Force base,” said Rasner.
Gray interjected: “That’s false. That’s false.”
'When It's Your Turn'
Rasner continued the critique. Gray turned to Peck and said, “I need to respond to that.”
“When it’s your turn to respond,” said Peck, “take the time then, please.”
“I can’t respond to false …" began Gray.
“You can respond when it’s your turn to respond next,” answered Peck.
Former President Joe Biden in a 2024 executive order announced that MineOne, a data center company “majority owned by Chinese nationals”, had bought land within one mile of the base at 635 Logistics Drive, Cheyenne.
The order calls Terra Crypto Inc, which was incorporated under Gray’s office in 2023, a subsidiary or affiliate of MineOne.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. investigated the business and identified national security risks, the order says. The Biden administration ordered the business to shut down and sell out.
While Gray’s signature is on the business registration approval for Terra Crypto, he has repeatedly urged the Legislature to adopt stronger business-approval laws to restrict adversarial nations.
The Legislature reacted to the 2024 controversy by giving state law enforcement more leverage to investigate potentially dangerous land transfers near critical infrastructure, and giving the secretary of state grounds to dissolve businesses owned or controlled by foreign adversaries.
Meanwhile, at the debate, Friess voiced fears of AI systems “going off the rails” and said the U.S. should also be aware of its tech race against China.
Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said the technology industry seeks framework and guidance from government, and said she’d work to develop that “as your congresswoman.”
Christensen said the nation needs to develop framework for ethical AI, but individuals and families also need to engage, communicate with their kids and be wary of the new landscape.
Giralt said Congress should do “hard work” to put data privacy protections in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Next, Sheridan Press government reporter Weston Pope asked candidates which of President Donald Trump’s executive orders they’d codify or discard.
Gray’s turn came last in that round, and after he listed his favored executive orders on election security, immigration enforcement and “stopping Wall Street housing speculation that has driven up housing costs,” he responded to Rasner.
“But, 20 minutes later,” said Gray, “I’m finally going to respond to this false statement from one of my opponents, who’s been making false statements for six months about me.”
Gray touted himself as the “strongest secretary of state in the nation on stopping China and North Korea.”
This is at least the second time Gray has clashed publicly with a forum host.
Biteman Remembers That One Differently
Nikki Ouellet, managing editor of Wyoming Public Media, asked Gray and Biteman how they’d be effective in Congress.
That was during a debate phase that pitted two candidates against each other at a time.
“Well I have a track record of this,” said Gray, pointing to his sponsorship of a successful bill directing medical staffers performing abortions to inform patients “of the opportunity” to view an ultrasound of the child and hear a heartbeat.
Gray pointed to other legislative efforts on coal and election reform.
“What I learned during that time is that people respond to legislators with conviction, legislators that are approachable, have a sense of humor and are also authentic,” said Gray. “And that’s certainly what I am.”
He said other legislators are drawn to that.
Biteman voiced surprise.
“Well, that’s not the history I remember, serving with my good friend Chuck,” said Biteman, who’s on the final days of 10 years’ service in the Legislature.
“He developed a reputation of being a bully,” said Biteman of Gray. “He treated people roughly and he didn’t have the respect of his colleagues, because of the way he treated them.”
Gray responded, “Well, Biteman is wrong,” and said some lawmakers didn’t like that Gray would call for named, roll-call votes instead of voice majority.
In the next debate phase pitting Biteman against Rasner, Biteman answered a question about federal spending by saying the nation needs to start by finishing the “DOGE” mission of cutting waste, fraud and abuse.
Rasner responded by thanking Biteman for his service in the Legislature, and taking another dig at Gray.
Rasner said Gray in 2021 “voted to give tax breaks to big data centers right here in Wyoming, and usher them in.”
The vote was an attempt by then-Rep. Clark Stith to repeal Wyoming’s tax exemption for large data center projects. Gray had voted at the time to keep the tax exemption.
Gray addressed Peck again.
“Am I going to get to respond to that per your rules?” asked Gray. “Am I going to get to respond? Are you ever going to follow your rules?”
Peck answered, “I am following the rules, sir.”
“OK,” said Gray. “So I can’t respond? You said that …"
Peck interjected, “You’ll have another chance to speak during this round.”
“You’re not following your rules,” objected Gray.
“I am following the rules, I invite you to check them,” said Peck.
“You’re not,” said Gray.
“Do you want to continue, sir?” asked Peck.
Gray continued to lament that Peck was not following the rules.
Peck offered Biteman the chance to respond to Rasner’s remarks, as part of the two-man debate.
“No, I’m good,” said Biteman.
The audience laughed. Some clapped.
Harriet Hageman
Candidates diverged slightly at the two-word lightning round prompt of “Harriet Hageman.”
“She is terrible at responding to constituent letters,” said Dodson. The audience laughed.
Christensen said he disagrees with her on a number of things that Wyoming people didn’t support but finds her hard-working and dedicated to Wyoming.
Giralt said she’s doing an excellent job, and he’ll add his own priorities to the mix.
Biteman pivoted: “She’s a good cook and she makes a mean lasagna.”
Rasner called her a strong conservative and said he’s looking forward to working with her. Gray delivered similar praise.
Friess called her a friend and said she leaves “big shoes to fill.”
Abortion
All candidates except Gray and Rasner indicated they’d leave the decision of whether to ban abortion in the hands of the states, with some echoing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the famous Dobbs case declaring a nationwide abortion access right unconstitutional.
Gray said he favors considering a national pro-life policy. Rasner simply said he’s “100% pro-life.”
That was during the lightning round, where short answers were required. Friess in prior forums has called for codifying the “Mexico City Rule,” to ban use of federal aid funds on abortion globally.
Giralt in past forums has called for codifying the Hyde amendment, to ban the use of federal dollars for abortion.
Closing Statements
During closing statements, Friess asserted that the polling shows it’s a two-man race. Friess pivoted late last month to presenting himself as a candidate who can beat Gray, and whom anti-Gray Republicans should back in the election.
Balow shook her head when Friess reiterated the “two-man race” assertion Tuesday.
Balow and Rasner both pointed to their deep Wyoming roots as multi-generational residents of the Cowboy State. Giralt referenced his experience helping to craft laws as a congressional staffer.
Biteman pointed to his career in the Legislature.
“I’m a people person. I get along well with people. I build coalitions,” said Biteman. “Talk is cheap; you need to send someone to Washington, D.C., that’s actually done everything that’s being talked about on this stage.”
Biteman gestured with both index fingers pointed outward toward Gray and Rasner.
Gray asserted the race is actually a two-man race between him and Christensen, but that Christensen is “much too liberal.”
Christensen agreed with the claim that he’s a frontrunner but countered on the “liberal” allegation, calling himself a Reagan/Bush-era, traditional conservative.
“I’ve led people in combat. I’ve influenced … the Armed Services Committees,” said Christensen, also pointing to his work as a federal public-lands manager in Wyoming.
“You can see the stark differences between us: who can work with people, and who can’t,” said Christensen of himself and Gray.
Dodson urged people to vote,
“Anybody up here can win,” he said. “If you think your candidate has no chance you’re wrong.”
In Hindsight …
On Wednesday, Gray and Rasner both asserted via Facebook post that they’d won the debate.
Giralt thanked the outlets for hosting. Biteman posted a link to the full debate Tuesday.
Christensen authored a post expounding one of his short, lightning-round answers.
The primary election is Aug. 18.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
