The News Editorial: Where is Wyoming in this election cycle?

I miss the good old days in Wyoming where Wyoming ethics and values could be seen and heard on the campaign trail.

I am not sure I can pinpoint a specific election where that started to change but you can certainly see it is lacking in this campaign cycle. Wyoming candidates used to pride themselves on no attack ads, running clean campaigns with no mudslinging and not allowing outsiders to try and influence our elections.

Two years ago we had outsiders from as far away as Florida come and tell us who to vote for in the U.S. House race and many praised them for coming.

This year Make Liberty Win, Convention of States Action and other organizations outside of Wyoming have flooded Republican mailboxes with flyers telling people who to vote for or who not to vote for. The pamphlets don’t give a lot of substance, but most spread a lot of hate and discontent.

Make Liberty Win has been the most vicious. Their website states they are from Alexandria, Virginia. If you read the “About Us” on their website you find out very little of who is behind Make Liberty Win.

Convention of States Action states right on their postcard they hail from Austin, Texas.

So voters. You have just over three weeks to decide (less if you are voting absentee). Will you let these outside influences impact how you vote or will you use that Wyoming independent spirit, think for yourself and find out about the candidates on your own?

You can check out candidates’ websites or social media pages. The Northern Wyoming News has profiled all the candidates (local mayor candidates are coming next week). These will be posted free at wyodaily.com starting Aug. 8. The Worland Senior Center has had forums and the Washakie County Republican Women will have a forum on Aug. 15.

You can reach out to any candidate and ask them directly their thoughts on issues, on their voting record.

If you are concerned about how someone voted check out the Wyoming Legislature website, U.S. Senate website or U.S. House website and check out the actual bill they were voting on or, better yet, just ask them.

There have been some attack ads as well in various races this season and I personally as a voter prefer candidates to tell me their plans to fix problems not what they perceive is wrong with their opponent.

I also prefer candidates who run for something and not against someone. That is just me. But that tells me a lot about a candidate as well.

It is time for Wyoming to take back our campaigning.

How do you do that? Toss those flyers in the trash. If they do not come specifically from the candidate – Paid for by the candidate or Committee to Elect said candidate then we don’t need it influencing our election.

You have time to make an informed decision, based on real facts and real information.

A lot of outside organizations that campaign for or against a candidate, without authorization from the candidate, look at votes but not the reason behind the votes.

You are a voter from and in Wyoming. You can do better.