• Complete list of candidates who have filed for state/local political positions

The candidate filing window closed on May 31 for those wishing to file for state and local political offices ahead of the Wyoming Primary Election. The following is a complete list of candidates who have filed, according to the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office, the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office and local municipalities. Wyoming’s Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, August 20.

In state races, current U.S. Senator John Barrasso (Casper) will seek another 6-year term in Congress. He will be challenged by John Holtz (Laramie) and Reid Rasner (Mills) on the Republican ticket. Scott D. Morrow (Laramie) will run unopposed on the Democratic ticket for the same U.S. Senate seat.

U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman (Cheyenne) is also seeking another term in Congress on the House side. The incumbent will be challenged by Steven R. Helling (Casper) on the Republican ticket. Kyle G. Cameron (Cheyenne) was the only Democrat who filed for the office.

In the Wyoming State Legislature, current Senator Dan Dockstader (R-Afton) is the only candidate who filed from either party for Senate District 16 covering Star Valley and southern Teton County. Senate District 14, which covers Cokeville, the rest of Lincoln County and portions of Sublette, Uinta and Sweetwater Counties, had three Republican’s file for office. They include former House Representative Albert Sommers (Pinedale), Bill Winney (Bondurant) and Laura Taliaferro Pearson (Kemmerer). No Democrats filed for the position. Current Senator Fred Baldwin (R-Kemmerer), who currently holds the SD14 position, had previously announced his retirement from the legislature and will not be seeking another term.

On the House side of the legislature, House District 21 will have a new Representative as Lane Allred (R-Afton) did not file for re-election. Two candidates have filed as Republicans, including McKay L. Erickson (Afton) and T. Deb Wolfley (Fairview). The district covers the entire southern portion of Star Valley along with Turnerville, Bedford, Thayne, Freedom and the southern half of Etna. For the northern half of Etna, Star Valley Ranch and Alpine, which are all part of House District 22, incumbent Andrew P. Byron (R-Jackson) was the only candidate who filed for the office. House District 22 also covers Hoback Junction and additional portions of southern Teton County.

One seat is up for election inside the Lincoln County Commission. Incumbent Jerry Hansen (R-Afton) has filed for another term. Hansen will be challenged by Joe Heward (Thayne), Eileen Merritt (Thayne) and Mel Shumway (Afton) on the Republican ticket for the commission seat. No Democrats filed for Lincoln County Commissioner.

A complete list of candidates who have filed for Republican and Democratic Committeemen and Committeewoman in Lincoln County can be found on the Lincoln County Clerk’s website at LincolnCountyWY.gov/government/clerk.

Several seats are up for vote in local municipal elections around Star Valley and Cokeville. Because Town Council and Mayor positions are non-partisan, all candidates appear on all ballots for the primary election. The top two candidates for each open seat  advance to the General Election.

The Town of Afton received two candidate applications for two open 4-year term seats on the town council. Applicants include Scott Griffith and Michael Butler.

The Town of Thayne has two 4-year term seats up for election, however only one person filed to run with current councilmember Nikole Passey seeking another term.

In the Town of Star Valley Ranch, Town Council candidates include incumbents Taylor Ellis along with Martin Occhi, Larry Robinson, Charlies Fritz and Katie Toolson. Two council seats are up for election in Star Valley Ranch, both 4-year terms.

The Town of Alpine also has two 4-year Town Council seats up for election. Shay Scaffide, Joseph Paine and current councilmember Andrea Burchard have all filed as candidates.

For Cokeville, current Mayor Colby Peck is running unopposed for mayor. Cameron Bird and Charles Dayton have filed for Town Council with two seats available, both 4-year terms.

Watch for the special Election Edition of the Star Valley Independent in August before the primary, which will include sample ballots, voting locations and candidate statements.