Harvey announces State Senate run

WORLAND - Worland businessman and former Washakie County commissioner Ron Harvey announced Tuesday that he will be running for the Wyoming Senate District 20.

The Senate seat, which encompasses Washakie and Hot Springs counties, south Big Horn County and portions of Park County (including Meeteetse) and Fremont County (including Lysite and Shoshoni), is currently held by Gerald Geis of Worland, who announced Monday that he would not be seeking another term after serving 35 years.

"I think I can do a good job and represent the people of the district," Harvey said. With Senate District 20 a large district he realizes there will be time and travel involved in order to serve all the constituents.

"I've spent a lot of time working on this with my family," Harvey said, adding that he is ready to devote the time personally and professionally. He said his business, Ron's Sanitation, will continue to operate and his customers' needs will continue to be met as well.

"I did that for eight years as a county commissioner. This is a bigger area, but it's doable," Harvey said.

Harvey was born in Lovell and graduated from Byron High School in 1976. He moved to Worland in 1987 and started his own business in 1992. He served as commissioner from 2007-2014 and is currently a member of the Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors and Washakie Development Association.

He said SD20 is a diverse district and that "almost everything that impacts Wyoming impacts this district."

Harvey said his experience as a commissioner and spending time in Cheyenne working on county issues, as well as being a businessman, give him valuable knowledge if elected.

"I'm very familiar with the process," he said.

He added, "I grew up in the Big Horn Basin. I know this area very, very well. I understand the needs of the people and they are not afraid to tell me how they feel."

He is married to his wife JaDee. He has four daughters and seven grandchildren.