Natrona County, Casper Political Races Got Crowded Quick
The filings came fast and furious in the last hour or so before the Friday afternoon deadline for those who announced their intentions to run for political office in the August 21 primary, according to the records of the Natrona County Clerk's Office.
The most intense interest occurred with those filing to run for the six of the nine open positions for Casper City Council.
As of Thursday evening, no one had filed to run for three of the available six seats up for election.
By the end of Friday, three candidates filed for the open Ward I (central Casper) position where there were none. Incumbent Jesse Morgan did not file for re-election.
Two filed for the unexpired two-year term in Ward II in west Casper. Incumbent Dallas Laird, who was appointed last year to the post, did not file. When interviewed for the position Laird was asked if he intended to run for re-election. He said he would not run if he believed he was not being effective or if council engaged in a lot of squabbling.
In Ward III, representing east Casper, two more candidates filed to run for the two four-year terms, joining former Casper Police Officer Steve Freel. Incumbent Kenyne Humphrey announced last year she would not seek another term.
On the federal level, six people are running for U.S. Senate including incumbent John Barrasso, and five are running for U.S. House including incumbent Liz Cheney.
The governor's race, with no incumbent, could be wild with six Republicans and four Democrats running to seek their parties' nominations.
Of the eight state House of Representative districts in Natrona County, two are uncontested, three have only Republicans in their primaries, and only three have Democrats in their primaries.
The Natrona County Commission race could get heated, with eight Republicans vying for the three open seats. Former commissioner Terry Wingerter is the only Democrat who filed to run.
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These are the offices, candidates and their parties (if applicable) so far:
Federal Contests:
- U.S. Senator (six-year term) -- John Holtz (R), Anthony L. Van Risseghem (R), Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente (R), Charlie Hardy (R), Gary Trauner (D), John Barrasso (R).
- U.S. Representative (two-year term) -- Rod Miller (R), Liz Cheney (R), Blake E Stanley (R), Travis Helm (D), Greg Hunter (D).
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The Five Statewide Contests (four-year terms)
- Governor -- Bill Dahlin (R), Foster Friess (R), Harriet M. Hageman (R), Kenneth R. Casner (D), Sam E. Galeotos (R), Mark Gordon (R), Taylor Haynes (R), Mary Throne (D), Rex Wilde (D), Michael Allen Green (D).
- Secretary of State -- James W. Byrd (D), Edward Buchanan (R).
- State Auditor -- Jeff Dockter (D), Kristi Racines (R), Nathan Winters (R).
- State Treasurer -- Curt Meier (R), Leland Christensen (R).
- Superintendent of Public Instruction -- Jillian Balow (R).
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State Senate Contests in Natrona County (four-year terms):
- Senate District 27 -- Bill Landen (R).
- Senate District 29 -- Drew Perkins (R).
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State House of Representative Contests in Natrona County (two-year terms):
- House District 35 -- Joe Macguire (R).
- House District 36 -- Debbie Bovee (D), Art Washut (R).
- House District 37 -- Steve Harshman (R), Gregory Flesvig (R).
- House District 38 -- Tom Walters (R).
- House District 56 -- Jerry Obermueller (R), Kris Gaddis (R).
- House District 57 -- Daniel Sandoval (R), Chuck Gray (R), Jane Ifland (D).
- House District 58 -- Charles H. Schoenwolf (R), Patrick "Pat" Sweeney (R).
- House District 59 -- Bunky Loucks (R), Laurie L Longtine (D).
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Natrona County Contests (four-year terms):
- Commissioner (three will be elected) -- Paul C. Bertoglio (R), Robert L. Hendry (R), Jim Milne (R), David North (R), Linda R. Shogren-O'Grady (R), Todd Murphy (R), Jerry A. Cook (R), Tracy Lamont (R), Terry Wingerter (D).
- Assessor -- Matthew Keating (R), Tammy Saulsbury (R).
- Clerk -- Tracy Good (R), Chris Lindsey (R).
- Clerk of District Court -- Leticia Drake (R), Anne Volin (R), Andrew Whittle (R).
- Coroner -- Connie Jacobson (R).
- Sheriff -- Gus Holbrook (R).
- Treasurer -- Tom Doyle (R).
- District Attorney -- Dan Itzen (R).
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City of Casper Contests (nonpartisan):
- City Council Ward I, (four-year term) -- Jacquie R. Anderson, Khrystyn Lutz, Vicki R. Orcutt.
- City Council Ward I, (two-year unexpired term) -- Michael E. Huber.
- City Council Ward II, (four-year term) -- Mark P. Kawa, Shawn Johnson.
- City Council Ward II, (two-year unexpired term) -- Kenneth Bates, William P. Knight Jr.
- City Council Ward III (two four-year terms) -- Steven Freel, Pete Owen, Ray Pacheco.
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Town of Bar Nunn Contests (nonpartisan, four-year terms):
- Town Council (two positions) -- Robert W. Hoover, Teri Kelly.
- Town Mayor -- Patrick R. Ford.
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Town of Evansville Contests (nonpartisan):
- Town Council (two four-year terms) -- Joseph A Knop, Chad Edwards.
- Town Council (two-year unexpired term) -- Aaron Vigneault.
- Town Mayor -- Jennifer Sorenson.
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Town of Mills Contests (nonpartisan):
- Town Council (two four-year terms) -- James Hollander, Darla R. Ives.
- Town Mayor (four-year term) -- Seth M. Coleman, Mike Pyatt.