Judge allows governor candidate to stay in race

CHEYENNE. (AP) — A man who’s running for governor of Wyoming amid accusations he lives in Colorado will remain in the race.

A judge in Cheyenne denied a request Friday to order Republican Taylor Haynes to withdraw. Wyoming officials, including Secretary of State Ed Buchanan, also have asked Laramie County District Judge Thomas Campbell to declare Haynes ineligible to be governor.

The judge will continue to consider that request but has canceled a hearing set for Tuesday, two weeks before the Aug. 21 primary.

The ranch where Haynes lives straddles the Wyoming-Colorado line. State officials say Haynes lives on the Colorado side.

In a prepared statement, Haynes said, “Our supporters who understood this was a politically motivated attack have stuck with us during this process, but unfortunately some people may have been confused by the reports and cast early votes for a different candidate.”

Buchanan says he still hopes the court can address the question about Haynes’ residency soon.

“The court today did not issue any decision or ruling on the issue of Dr. Haynes’ residency. While the State had hoped for a definitive resolution of this matter for the sake of the voters, the candidates for governor, and for Dr. Haynes himself, I’m still hopeful that that the questions before the court will be heard in a timely manner. I am surprised that Dr. Haynes unequivocally would not agree to an expedited hearing as a way to guarantee the swift resolution of this matter before the primary election. The constitutional requirement of five years of continuous residency is very clear, and my office and I will continue to seek that same clarity in how the law is applied,” said Buchanan.

The request for a declaratory judgment was filed on Friday, July 20th, 2018, by the Wyoming Attorney General