Converse County residents in Wyoming House District 6 voted to give two-term Republican incumbent Rep. Tomi Strock an easy shot at a third term Tuesday in a tight race with Jim Willox, a longtime county commissioner and current vice chairman of the Wyoming Transportation Commission.
Strock received 1,342 votes, or 52.06%, in the GOP primary, to 1,221 votes, or 47.36%, for Willox.
Strock is one of the few members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus who turned back a challenger. She did not immediately return a call for comment.
During her campaign, she pointed to her record promoting conservative legislation and efforts to protect and help the county’s agricultural community.
Conservative Legislative Voice
Strock has been a conservative voice the state Legislature. She has pointed to her efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation, sponsor a homeschool legislation giving parents more authority in their children’s education, ands co-sponsor bills on school choice, parental rights, and protecting children from stalking and grooming.
“I decided to run for office in 2022 because our leaders were not representing the people,” she posted on her campaign social media page. “I believe that as your representative, I am sent to Cheyenne to represent you, not the government, not the special interests, not the lobbying groups.”
Strock also noted her efforts to fight for the LaPrele Dam and protect water for the county’s agricultural sector by pushing legislation to study the impact on water from data centers and not fast-track data center approval.
In 2022, Strock defeated Rep. Aaron Clausen to gain a path to office and in a 2024 rematch showed her staying power by claiming 52.21% of the vote to Clausen’s 47.47%.
Strock serves on the House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, House Education Committee, and the Select Water Committee.
Willox A Rancher, Servant
Willox describes himself as a rancher and public servant. In addition to his County Commission role he serves as the stadium voice of Douglas High School football team and has been a basketball official for several years.
Willox pointed to his efforts at economic development and promised if elected to “not be a member of the Freedom Caucus.”
Willox supported an “all of the above” energy strategy for the state as long as the development remains “accountable to local communities, landowners, and Wyoming values.”
He also campaigned on strong public education with strong roles for communities and local school boards.
Willox also challenged Strock’s financial support from groups outside the state and Converse County.
“My opponent reported receiving $6,000 from Jackson and just $1,150 from Converse County,” he posted on his campaign’s social media page.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
