The following letters to the editor appeared in the August 12, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

PRINCIPLES …. Not PERSONALITIES

Dear Editor

As we cast our vote next week, hopefully we have evaluated the politicians on Principles, not on their personalities and not on parties.

Office holders take an oath to uphold the Constitution, and we should support them only to the degree that they abide by that oath.

This constitutional litmus test should be applied to every politician, regardless of who he / she may be.

Here lies the challenge: How do we know a candidate’s true principles if they are running for the first time? It may take some work, but one can do some digging to learn more about a person and their past decisions and principles.

For a candidate on the ballot who has some past legislative and government work, it is pretty easy to see their voting record and what they believe in, even though they may try to tell the public otherwise.

Do your homework, vote for the person who is most principled in protecting our rights, following the constitution, and one who sincerely wants limited government.

Respectfully 

T. Deb Wolfley

Our Republic Works Best When We All Participate

Dear Editor

One of the clearest measures of a healthy republic is voter participation. In Wyoming, recent election data shows that when citizens engage in the electoral process, our combined voice as a Party becomes stronger.

According to the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office, more than 271,000 ballots were cast in the 2024 General Election, up from approximately 198,000 ballots cast in 2022. That represents nearly 73,000 more Wyomingites exercising their fundamental right to vote. [goconow.com], [sos.wyo.gov]

Those numbers tell an important story. Elections matter, and Wyoming citizens respond when they recognize the stakes. Whether the issues are taxes, education, healthcare, public safety, economic development, or the future direction of our communities, the decisions made by elected officials affect all of us.

Yet there is still room for greater participation, especially during the Primary Election. Every eligible voter who stays home leaves it to someone else to help determine the future of our state and nation. Our republic is strongest when it reflects the voices of as many citizens as possible, not just those who regularly show up at the polls.

As we look ahead to future elections, I encourage all Wyomingites to learn about the candidates and issues, verify their registration, make a plan to vote in both our Primary Election early or at the polls on August 18th, and encourage friends and family members to do the same. Voting is more than a right; it is a responsibility and an opportunity to make our voices heard.

Let’s keep Wyoming’s strong tradition of Republican involvement alive. Get informed and get out and vote

Sincerely,

Bryan E. Miller, Chairman

Wyoming Republican Party

Questions for Barlow

Dear Editor

Why tout being a fourth-generation Wyomingite if the core values that built this state and nation are abandoned in favor of cultural trends or “experts”?

At a recent meet-and-greet in Star Valley, I asked gubernatorial candidate Eric Barlow several pressing questions. First, why did he not consider removing sexually explicit materials from public schools and libraries a priority during the 2026 budget session? Barlow replied that it would have required taking bills out of order, something he would do only for urgent matters. He did not view this as an urgent state issue and preferred that communities decide what belongs on the shelves.

I countered that the state should maintain a baseline of morality in taxpayer-funded institutions and that protecting children’s minds is urgent enough to justify reordering priorities. Barlow responded that he is not advocating anything extreme by deferring to communities.

I also raised concerns about skyrocketing property taxes amid claims of a surplus. Barlow called the surplus [BS] and attributed rising taxes to people like me moving to Wyoming. He noted the existing 4% cap but said he would decline replacing the board that declared it unconstitutional, deferring instead to the courts. He offered a hypothetical about unequal benefits based on property value increases. I reminded him these are largely unrealized gains, as most homes have not sold. Taxpayers have already paid taxes on the dollars used to purchase or build their homes. A better approach might be to limit government scope and size, reduce or eliminate residential property taxes, and help Wyomingites to stay and thrive here.

Finally, Barlow said he votes in line with Supreme Court rulings on pro-life issues, which apparently aligns with his values. These views are certainly not conservative. Wyoming voters must set the bar higher if we still believe in the core values that built this great state and nation. If you are a conservative voter, consider voting for Brent Bien, who successfully led the effort to place the People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxes on the ballot and who will continue to defend and uphold the Constitution as the next Governor of Wyoming.

Vicky Little