WYOMING U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE PROFILES

The Northern Wyoming News requested information from all U.S. House and U.S. Senate candidates, asking them four questions regarding their background and why they are running for office.

Several candidates did not respond to the NWN questionnaire. Others responded but did not follow the specific question format.

Any response the Northern Wyoming News received is being published here. The NWN did not receive any response from U.S. Senate candidates Devon Cade of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Josh Wheeler of Casper, Michael Kemler of Lander, James Kirk DeBrine of Evansville Kenneth R. Casner of Elk Mountain, Merav Ben David of Laramie and Rex Wilde of Cheyenne. Star Roselli of Scottsdale, Arizona reached out for an interview but an interview could not be coordinated prior to press time.

U.S. House candidates who did not respond was Blake Stanley of Banner.

The primary election is Aug. 18.

Mark Armstrong - Republican

Mark Armstrong is a Wyoming native with some strong political and Wyoming roots. He is the greatgreat-great-great nephew of Abraham Lincoln (through Lincoln’s marriage to Mary Todd). His great-grandfather is former University of Wyoming coach John Corbett.

The geologist from Centennial threw his hat into the ring for several reasons, first of which is longtime Senator Mike Enzi is retiring, but mainly because he feels the government is broken and he feels he has some expertise, specifically in the area of budgetary spending that could help the country.

Armstrong, a father of two and grandfather of two, said he wants people to know, “I’m honest. I’m not going to give up my eternal future by lying, cheating and stealing.”

John Holtz – Republican

I am an Eagle Scout and a member of the Christian Legal Society since law

school. I obtained the first double-digit firm fixed-price contract in the history of the Hughes Aircraft Company; and I was the head of the committee to redesign the fire control system; consisting of the laser range finder, ballistic computer and thermal imaging system of the Army’s main battle tank, the M60A3. I was in the Electro Optical and Space Division of the Hughes Aircraft Company. The Tomahawk missiles that recently hit

Syria were once made by the Hughes Aircraft Company. At one point, almost half of the geosynchronous satellites in the world were made by Hughes.

I was one of the youngest judges in Wyoming history and helped establish the Circuit Court system of today. I was president of my college fraternity and the president of the Alumni Association of the Delta Gamma chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at the University of Wyoming from 1988 to 1992.

I was instrumental in placing the carrying of concealed weapon without a permit for Wyoming residents on the Wyoming Republican platform in 2010.]

I will strengthen America’s defense and reduce the deficit.

Cynthia Lummis - Republican

Where do you currently live?

Cheyenne, Wyoming

How long have you lived in Wyoming?

I have lived in Wyoming my entire life.

What type of work do you do, and where do you work?

I’m a lifelong rancher and attorney. I currently help operate my family’s cattle ranches in Laramie County. From 2008 to 2016, I served as Wyoming’s lone Congressman in Washington, D.C. where I cofounded the Freedom Caucus, championed Wyoming’s mineral and energy resources and fought to rein in spending and reduce the federal deficit. Prior to serving in Congress, I spent eight years as Wyoming State Treasurer and 14 years as a member of the Wyoming State Legislature.

In 100 words or less, why are you running for Congress?

I’m running for the US Senate to work with President Trump to enact his ‘America First’ agenda – something more important than ever in the wake

of COVID-19. This means bringing the development and manufacturing of essential products back to the United States and to Wyoming and expanding domestic energy production. While we can build a strong economy, none of it will matter for the long-term if we fail to tackle our national debt. I was a fierce budget hawk and worked to cut spending while I served in the House of Representatives. I’ll do the same in the Senate.

Donna Rice - Republican

Where do you currently live?

Casper

How long have you lived in Wyoming?

I am fourth generation Wyomingite

What type of work do you do, and where do you work?

I am an attorney, and small business owner

In 100 words or less, why are you running for Congress? America was founded on

the ideas of liberty and personal responsibility. These are two of the key principles that make our country great. I believe Wyoming is filled with that same spirit; hard work, independence, less government, and strong families. I want to make sure America, and Wyoming, never lose these values, and that is why I have decided to run for the Republican nomination to the United States Senate.

Robert Short - Republican

Where do you currently live?

I was raised in Glenrock and currently live in Douglas

How long have you lived in Wyoming?

All of my life with the exception of college and time outside for work, 40 years.

What type of work do you do, and where do you work?

My wife Janella own multiple small businesses in Wyoming and employ hundreds of people in Converse County. We work in the construction and energy industry, have a drone company that does survey work, own the historic Hotel Higgins and Paisley Shawl in Glenrock, and own a convenience store.

In 100 words or less, why are you running for Congress?

I have a deep love for Wyoming and believe we need to restore public trust in our elected officials. The boom and bust nature of our economy forced me to leave the state in the 1980’s to pursue economic opportunity. I was fortunate to be able to move back and want to create a state where we stop exporting our kids and workforce. From my experience in small business, I want to remove the federal barriers that I and others have faced trying to grow Wyoming’s economy. I am running to make Wyoming the place I know it can be for future generations.

Bryan Miller - Republican

Where do you currently live?

Sheridan Wyoming

How long have you lived in Wyoming?

48+ years a Wyoming resident. Moved here at age 6 after my father left the Air Force. I was born at the US Air Force Academy hospital in 1965 when my father was stationed in Colorado Springs. He was a Staff Sergeant then and working for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

What type of work do you do, and where do you work?

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2011, I started BEM Int’l, LLC in my hometown of Sheridan. It is an energy and infrastructure consulting and facilitation company I created to save taxpayer dollars by focusing on actions that have saved us, the American taxpayers, more than $200 Million over the past 9 years by doing pre-mitigation planning across the nation to eliminate wind turbine radar interference issues! — No one else has running for U.S Senate has done that!

In 100 words or less, why are you running for Congress?

I’m a God-Fearing Family Man, Life-long Wyoming Republican, Staunch Conservative, Champion of the Constitution, and Defender of Liberty. I’m a retired USAF Officer/Pilot, served in Combat, Combat Support, and Disaster Relief Operations worldwide. I’m experienced in government, civil, and military matters from years of citizen, small business, and Republican Party engagement. With all the turmoil in our nation today, the courage to lead is more urgently needed than ever. I am the only candidate with the breadth of experience, leadership skills honed during 23 years in the military, and the guts to stand my ground in the Washington DC Swamp.

Yana Ludwig - Democrat

Where do you currently live?

Laramie

How long have you lived in Wyoming?

4 years

What type of work do you do, and where do you work?

I work with nonprofits, worker owned cooperatives and intentional communities to help them have better decision-making, conflict resolution and human resources practices. I’ve also worked $10/hour jobs in the last few years to get by, stocking grocery shelves and working retail.

In 100 words or less, why are you running for Congress?

My kids are being handed a world of increasing economic, social and climate instability, and both parties are failing to stabilize things. We need serious reforms so our economy benefits working people, not corporations. I support shifting power to people through unions, worker ownership, public banks, living wages, student debt relief, single payer healthcare, and a Green New Deal that creates jobs and expands public lands. All people deserve representation, including Wyoming’s people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, people of color, our indigenous tribes, working class and poor people, and young people: I stand in solidarity with these groups.

Nathan Wendt - Democrat

Where do you currently live?

Jackson

How long have you lived in Wyoming?

I came back to Wyoming in 2016.

What type of work do you do, and where do you work?

I’m part of the leadership at the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs, a bipartisan organization based in Jackson that works on Wyoming’s biggest issues and opportunities such as how to create the jobs and industries of the future and how to ramp up clean energy for the globe.

In 100 words or less, why are you running for Congress?

I’m running because I want to create a better future for my kids and because I care deeply about Wyoming’s future. I want to help lead Wyoming into a new chapter. I’ve worked on the big issues facing the state for several years and I know how to deliver results in bringing new jobs, reducing the costs of healthcare, and putting workers first. I’m not interested in being a career politician and I’m not interested in towing political party lines from the left or the right. I’m interested in getting things done. Vote for me and I won't let you down.