Basin resident Weeks announces State Senate candidacy

WORLAND - Linda Weeks, a familiar face to Washakie County residents as the marketing and sales supervisor for RT Communications, announced this week that she would be seeking the Republican nomination for State Senate District 20.

In her announcement, Weeks said, "Wyoming District 20 has been fortunate to have Senator Wyatt Agar represent the district's 11 communities in the Big Horn Basin. For the past four years Senator Agar has proven to be accomplished, dedicated, and passionate about the prosperity and well-being of the district. Wyatt has served our communities extremely well by building relationships with his constituents along with alliances with other senators in the state.

"Due to the success of his first term I was sincerely disappointed to learn of his decision not to seek a second term. However, I respect Wyatt's commitment as he puts his family at highest priority. Contemplating the upcoming election, I realize we need a candidate who supports Wyatt's values, and maintains and builds on what he has accomplished for the area."

Agar (R-Thermopolis) announced last week, at the end of the Wyoming Legislative Budget Session that he would not seek a second term. Agar was elected after the retirement of longtime Senator Gerry Geis (R-Worland).

Weeks said that while she has never aspired to be a candidate she has spent a great deal of time considering whether she should run.

She said, "As a politically involved individual, I am always considering how I can best serve our state. I have been a huge supporter of Senator Agar and was committed to his second term re-election committee. As dialog progressed with Senator Agar he eventually made the decision to not run. When he made his final decision, the focus shifted and I made the decision to run for the seat as one who could continue the effective representation of District 20."

She added, "After 12 years of helping behind the scenes in the political arena, it's time for me to step up to serve the State of Wyoming and most importantly the constituents of District 20. After many years of visiting, my husband Charlie and I fulfilled our dreams and moved to Wyoming. We feel blessed to live in a beautiful area with wonderful people, with whom we have built lifelong friendships and are surrounded with a flourishing community of good folks. This is our home! We love Wyoming and it's time to give back."

She and her husband Charlie have lived in Basin for 5 1/2 years.

"We are proud to be a part of such a thriving community where the people are warm and friendships are plentiful," she said.

Regarding her run and serving District 20 constituents, Weeks said, "I am a proud resident of the district and therefore announcing that I am running for the District 20 State Senate seat. Wyatt will leave big shoes to fill but I feel that I am up for the challenge."

Weeks said in her role at RT Communications she works daily in many of the communities in District 20 as RT provides telephone and internet services to some of these towns.

"Over the past four years I've developed an understanding of our rural communities – their strengths and their challenges," she said.

Both in my career and my involvement with politics, saturating large areas is a strength of mine. I've been in marketing and communications for over 35 years, I know how to reach people in order to communicate with them. Covering large areas, I have learned to build relationship with people, sense the heartbeat of the community, and hear their needs and concerns.

"Face to face is always my preferred means of relating with people and communities. However, I will use all forms of social media and regular emails for quick, far-reaching communication. I will be accessible by cell phone, email and any other forms of communications. I will attend local events and plan on holding meetings in town on a quarterly basis. The nature of my career has provided me the opportunity to frequently visit most of the communities of the district. My time in each community has also enabled me to be acquainted with the local folks and becoming aware of the challenges and issues unique to each of these towns."

Weeks has over 35 years of retail marketing and business experience working as the director of marketing for large retail organizations. She said she has managed small and large teams of people as well as very large budgets.

Politically she served as the second vice chair of a county GOP and as Grassroots Co-Chair for Americans for Prosperity where the group lobbied for low taxes and fiscal responsibility.

Additionally, she has volunteered on many congressional campaigns, knocking on doors and by providing marketing support in order to help conservative candidates get elected to Congress.

"As District 20's State Senator I will fight for funding to improve our infrastructure and roads. I promise to use my ability to think outside of the box to develop a plan to increase economic growth in the Big Horn Basin. I pledge to focus on helping small businesses thrive and to continue Wyatt's vision for our important agricultural market.

"I will always vote to keep our taxes low and our government small. I support our Second Amendment rights and am pro-life. I will work very hard for the residents of District 20 so that we will have a bright future in the Big Horn Basin."

Candidate filing for state, county and local offices officially begins May 14 and ends May 29.