By Brenna Ralston
Torrington Telegram
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

TORRINGTON — Republican secretary of state nominee Robert Short said Wyoming voters are ready to move away from political hostility and toward leaders focused on producing results. 

Short received 53,314 votes, or approximately 45.6%, in the Aug. 18 Republican primary, according to unofficial state-wide results. 

He defeated Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, Charles “C.J.” Young and Qwenton Eagle Oviatt and will face Democratic nominee Bryan McCarty in the Nov. 3 general election.

Short did not respond to the Telegram’s original pre-primary candidate questionnaire but spoke with the newspaper following his victory.

“I think that Republican voters are tired of vitriol and just talking points,” Short said. “They want people who are willing to do the work to get results that matter to the people of Wyoming.”

Asked how he intends to earn the support of those who backed his opponents, Short said he would demonstrate that his loyalty is to Wyoming residents rather than a particular political narrative.

Short, a Converse County commissioner, cited his experience as an election judge, business owner and organizational leader as preparation for the secretary of state’s responsibilities. The office oversees statewide elections, business registrations, campaign-finance reporting and securities regulation, among other duties.

His priorities include providing financial education for senior citizens to help prevent fraud, teaching young people how to build secure financial futures and promoting a business environment that allows younger Wyoming residents to remain in the state.

He also wants to bring what he described as sensible, data-driven decision-making to the State Board of Land Commissioners and State Loan and Investment Board, both of which include the secretary of state. 

Short said he is not currently proposing additional changes to Wyoming’s election laws. He wants to see how recently enacted laws affect the 2026 election before considering further revisions.

“At this point, none,” Short said when asked what election-administration changes he would make. “We need to see how the current laws have impacted election outcomes before we go making more changes.”

One area he said deserves attention is transparency surrounding money used to influence Wyoming elections.

Short also said election laws must protect against ineligible voting without creating unreasonable obstacles for eligible residents, particularly people with limited mobility or those living in assisted-living facilities.

“We need to make sure that all Wyoming citizens who are eligible to vote have the opportunity to vote,” he said.

To address competing concerns about election security and unsupported allegations that can diminish public confidence, Short said he would release information in a clear and transparent manner.

“Provide data in a transparent way without emotion or hyperbole so that people can see for themselves how the elections have been conducted and how the results have been verified,” he said.

Short also said he wants the office to improve and streamline its business-filing systems. Although Short described annual reports as requiring businesses to print and mail paperwork, the secretary of state’s office already allows annual reports to be filed electronically or submitted by mail.

He said his administration would differ from that of current Secretary of State Chuck Gray by concentrating on results within Wyoming instead of national political debates.

“My focus is going to be on getting results for the people of Wyoming, not pandering to any national narrative,” Short said.

He described McCarty as “a very nice human being” but argued his own deeper ties to Wyoming distinguish him from his Democratic opponent. McCarty reported in a WyoFile candidate questionnaire that he has lived in Wyoming for seven years and in Worland for six.

Because Wyoming does not have a lieutenant governor, the secretary of state is first in the line of succession and may serve as acting governor when the governor is outside the state or unable to perform the office’s duties.

Short said his experience leading large organizations as a CEO, both domestically and internationally, has taught him the importance of communication, listening and developing strategies that minimize harm while producing positive results.

Throughout the campaign, he has called for making the secretary of state’s office “boring again.” He said some voters interpreted the slogan as indicating apathy or a lack of interest in the office, but that was not his intention.

“It’s about leading with quiet strength,” Short said. “Not just pounding or, again, pandering for camera opportunities.”

Short said he would serve Wyoming residents regardless of their political affiliation or whether they voted for him.

“My job isn’t to ask them if they voted for me,” he said. “My job is to do the work to benefit all of us.”

The above story may be used ONLY by members of the Wyoming News Exchange or with the express consent of the newspaper of its origin.