26 I The Lovell Chronicle I October 28, 2010 www.LovellChronicle.com
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
David Wendt • Democrat
BIOGRAPHY: I was born in Haddonfield, N.J., and attended public
school through high school graduation. I am currently the presi-
dent of the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs, a bipartisan
policy center, which I co-founded eight years ago. I have resided in
Jackson for the last five years. I met my wife in Wyoming 43 years
ago, when we were both working on a dude ranch. She grew up in
the U.S. Navy, and we have three sons age 88, 29, and 26, all of
.,hom ao involx,ocl in public iorvieo.
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO SEEK OFFICE? WAS
IT A PERSONAL INITIATIVE OR DID OTHERS
ENCOURAGE YOU?
WENDT: I was encouraged by leaders in the state and county
Democratic party to seek federal office because of my almost
three decades of bipartisan involvement in public policy.
This includes 21 years at the Center for Strategic and In-
ternational Studies (CSIS), in Washington, D.C., and eight
years at the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs.
LUMMIS: I am seeking re-election because America is at a
crossroads. America's economic freedom and individual op-
portunity will be limited and we will burden our children
and grandchildren with looming deficits and a massive debt
if we do not change the course of this country by committing
ourselves to a new governing agenda that is fiscally respon-
sible and focuses -- first and foremost -- on creating jobs. I
view my role in Congress as that of a committed fiscal dis-
ciplinarian. I want to lead Congress to kick its over-spend-
ing using tools that Wyoming has successfully employed
for years to balance our budgets. I want to return to the
U.S. House to be a forceful voice for reform of federal spend-
ing and for a renewed commitment to the 10th Amendment
rights of states and the people.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE
COUNTRY AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS IT?
WENDT: Federal debt and budget deficit reduction is the most
important issue facing our country. I plan to address this is-
sue through smart savings, including public-private sector
partnerships that can produce savings in education and in-
frastructure. I have demonstrated that I know how to do this
in building past public-private sector partnerships. Mean-
while, by sharing the costs of these needed investments with
the private sector, we can make our tax dollars go further.
LUMMIS: The current national debt and mounting deficits are
unsustainable and I believe reducing the debt by cutting
spending is the most important issue in the country. Con-
gress must sober up from its spending addiction and take
action to right America's fiscal course. It will not be easy and
it will require discipline but we must work together to bring
America back from the brink of a culture of government de-
pendency. I support Representative Paul Ryan's American
roadmap, which will completely eliminate the national debt
by reforming entitlements and creating a sustainable eco-
nomic course for our country. We need to return to economic
freedom and a tax structure that will empower not shackle
the entrepreneurial spirit.
WHAT DO YOU SEE IS THE MOST,IMPORTANT ISSUE
IN WYOMING AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO' ADDRES$ '
IT?
WENDT: The most important issue in Wyoming is the future of
our energy markets. We need incentives to encourage elec-
tric utilities to put out the extra cash to invest in cleaner-
building coal-fired power plants, or else they will shift to
natural gas. In fact, because the utilities are lacking incen-
tives, that is what they are already doing. I don't think many
people in Wyoming understand that this is happening. We
also need to build the transmission lines that will help us
send our wind power out-of-state.
Cynthia Lummis • Republican
BIOGRAPHY: I am a fourth generation Wyoming rancher and a
small business owner from Laramie County. I was raised on my
family's ranch and graduated from the University of Wyoming
with bachelor degrees in animal science and biology. In 1979, I
became the youngest woman ever elected to the Wyoming Legisla-
ture. After receiving my law degree from UW in 1985, I practiced
law in Cheyenne and served a total of 14 years in the Wyoming
House and Senate, concentrating on natural resource and taxation
issues. I was elected Wyoming State Treasurer in 1998 and served
two terms before being elected to represent the people of Wyo-
ming in the United States House of Representatives in 2008. My
husband, Alvin Wiederspahn, is a Cheyenne attorney and we have
one daughter, Annaliese. We are all members of Trinity Lutheran
Church.
Questio[00__ ....
LUMMIS: I believe the major issue facing Wyoming today is
the tax and spend, big government agenda promoted by
Democrats in Congress. Nancy Pelosi has no idea how we
live our lives and provide for our families in Wyoming. She
votes as though she knows better than we do about how
to raise and educate our children and what health insur-
ance we should be allowed to purchase. The liberal agenda
seeks to strengthen the long arm of Washington and fur-
ther intrude on every aspect of our lives right down to our
relationship with our family physician. I will work with my
colleagues in the U.S. House to repeal and replace the gov-
ernment takeover of our health care system and to protect
Wyoming values from the heavy hand of Washington.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
AND HOW WILL YOU COMPENSATE FOR YOUR
WEAKNESSES?
WENDT: My strengths are my demonstrated commitment to
bipartisan cooperation and public-private sector collabora-
tion, my credentials as a fiscal conservative, my capacity to
listen, and my strong grasp of national and international
policy issues. My weaknesses include the limited recogni-
tion of my accomplishments within the state, and inaccurate
reactions of some people who brand me as a "blame-Bush"
Democrat. I plan to overcome these weaknesses by continu-
ing to get out around the state, walk neighborhoods and talk
to the citizens of Wyoming, and emphasize the Bush initia-
tives I have supported over the last 10 years and will con-
tinue to support.
LUMMIS: As a small-business owner I understand what it
means to manage a budget, to make payroll, to pay bills on
time and to create jobs. Through my service in the State
Legislature and as Wyoming's State Treasurer I learned
that states are the incubators of great ideas. I go to work
every day to fight for Wyoming values and come home every
weekend to listen and learn from you. My work ethic as I
walk into the U.S. Capitol every morning is unchanged from
when I went out to irrigate at the ranch. I strive to vote Wy-
oming's values of good stewardship of our land, responsible
use of our resources and protection of our way of life. Like
many people, maintaining a work-life balance is the biggest
challenge that I face. I work to balance the responsibility I
have to God and my family with the responsibility to serve
the people of Wyoming forcefully and effectively. I work to be
a good servant of the Lord and to be a good wife and mother.
It is only with the support of God and my family that I am
able to steadfastly serve Wyoming with passion and energy.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU?
WENIhe ¢is s state should vote for me because
i represent voice of the future, not the past. As one of the
leading Republicans in the state has said, I am not a politi-
cian-as-usual, but am brilliant at bringing people together.
I can promote long-term initiatives that will serve the in-
terests of our state by enhancing job growth, investment in
sustainable energy and fiscal discipline.
LUMMIS: I want to reform Congress and I know - with every
vote I cast -- that I work for you. Some of my colleagues in
Washington seem to have forgotten who they work for but
this year -- with your help -- we can change that and take
America back. I come home every weekend and travel the
state. I hold town hall meetings, attend community events,
visit businesses and listen to Wyoming folks about the is-
sues that are on their minds. My chief of staff is based in
Wyoming to ensure the highest quality of constituent ser-
vice and to focus the attention of my office on serving Wyo-
ming first, not Washington. I have an exceptional staff and
my congressional offices emphasize outstanding service, we
care deeply about working for Wyoming.
John V. Love • Libertarian
The following statement was received by U.S. House Liber-
tarian candidate John V. Love. The statement was received prior
to the questionnaire being sent and no additional information
was received.
Green River Police Chief John V. Love believes the citizens
of Wyoming should have more of a choice than a "big govern-
menC Democrat or a '%ig government" Republican.
As Wyoming's representative in Washington, Love would
propose the following amendment to the United States Consti-
tution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens
of the United States that does not apply equally to the senators
and/or representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that ap-
plies to the senators and/or representatives that does not apply
equally to the citizens of the United States."
Love said, "Our legislators in Washington have come to
believe they are above their constituents and that they can ig-
nore the will of the people and that has to change. Obviously the
health care issue has proven that Congress is not listening to the
people and I will push for the right of any state to "opt out" of na-
tional health care."
Love would like to see a strict interpretation of the United
States Constitution with much less government intrusion into
personal freedoms and our free enterprise system.
"All individuals and businesses have the right to succeed or
fail on their own merit without any government interference,"
he said.
Love believes in a flat tax for all wage earners and corpo-
rations based on gross income and that the federal government
should be spending only what it can take in. This would mean a
vast decrease in government spending including welfare for il-
legal aliens, corporate bailouts and what he called "the useless
stimulus program."
Love said he believes that the federal government has the
obligation to secure our national borders against illegal entry by
nations, groups or individuals and that no immigration reform is
warranted until this is accomplished.
H e.,added,he believes in thelf!e]l== y dUal,.o
chobse thdir religior and worlil5 'le% $se s far 1
practice of that religion does not infringe on the personal liber-
ties of any other individual.
Love said it is also time for a discussion of term limits at the
federal level.
A Vietnam veteran, Love moved to Wyoming from his na-
tive Wisconsin in 1976. He graduated from the University of Wy-
oming in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in natural science. He
has been employed by the Green River Police Department for the
past 26 years.
More information is available on Facebook and at www.wyo-
minglp.org (Wyoming Libertarian Party).
BIG HORN COUNTY CLERK
Catherine C. Stuber • Democrat Dori Noyes • Republican
: BIOGRAPHY: I was born in Big Timber, Mont., and lived in Sweet
Grass County most of my life until moving to Wyoming in 2002. I
have some secondary education in bookkeeping and accounting. I
had a real estate license in Montana for 17 years. I have also just
completed a Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) course. I am cur-
rently taking a medical transcription course. My husband Gene
and I have lived in and owned property in Big Horn County for
more than six years.
BIOGRAPHY: I was born in Caldwell, Idaho, and moved to Big
Horn County in 1989. I worked all through high school and after
graduation became a loan officer for a financial institution. I also
owned and operated a women's clothing store. I worked for J.R.
Simplot's corporate office as an executive secretary before moving
to Wyoming. I worked for the University of Wyoming Cooperative
Extension Service for 12 years. I have parents, three siblings, a
daughter, son-in-law and five grandchildren in Idaho; son, daugh-
ter-in-law and two grandchildren in Texas. My husband Quint
Noyes is a Wyoming native and has lived in Wyoming for 57 years.
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO SEEK OFFICE? WAS
IT A PERSONAL INITIATIVE OR DID OTHERS
ENCOURAGE YOU?
STUBER: I have had numerous people ask me to run for the
office of county clerk. The people said I would make a good
county clerk and also feel there needs to be a change in the
county clerk's office.
NOYES: In 2001, the previous county clerk asked me to come to
work for her and learn the county clerk's duties. I accepted
the offer and for the next 16 months was trained to be the
county clerk, learning the clerk's duties and responsibilities
as well as the deputy clerk's responsibilities (which differ
substantially). In 2002, I was elected to the county clerk's
position and re-elected in 2006.
BUDGETS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE TIGHT FOR THE
NEXT FEW YEARS. WHAT ARE YOUR FINANCIAL
PRIORITIES FOR THE OFFICE YOU ARE SEEKING?
STUBER: My priority is to run a more efficient office and save
the taxpayers money. Having worked in the office for 5½
years, I feel there are ways to save money and run a more
productive office. I want to make the county clerk's budget
more efficient and to help the county commissioners where I
can with the budget.
Questions__
employees and a more pleasant office for both the employees
and the public.
NOYES: The most important issue as the administrator is to
understand state statutes and how they apply. Next would
be to establish procedures so we comply with the statutes.
The most important issues for the deputy clerks are accu-
racy and efficiency and following these procedures. We ad-
dress this by proofing all documents. Accuracy and efficien-
cy equals lower costs to the taxpayers.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
AND HOW WILL YOU COMPENSATE FOR YOUR
WEAKNESSES?
STUBER: My strengths are that I am a hard worker, loyal,
prompt, very dedicated to my job, whatever it may be, and
I can get along with most people. When people ask me for
something I work until I get it done. My weakness is that I
work too hard and get overly tired. I will have to pace my-
self.
NOYES: My strengths are my knowledge gained from 30 years
of experience in record keeping. I receive additional train-
ing every year in areas such as computer programs, human
resources, changes and updates to state statutes, to name
a few. I am also known for my dedication to the job over the
in-state and out-of-state customers, which is a process that
I implemented last year.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU?
STUBER: I will work to serve the public. I will treat all people
with respect and have a more pleasant environment when
the public comes to the county clerk's office for help and in-
formation. I will strive to have a better working relation-
ship with all the county offices. I have worked in the county
clerk's office for 5½ years. I am qualified and have the ability
and feel I would make a good, hard working county clerk for
all the people of Big Horn County.
NOYES: I am asking to be re-elected because of my integri-
ty and honesty, demonstrated by my fiscal responsibility. I
have eight years of experience doing the job as county clerk.
I am dedicated, demonstrated by the many hours I put into
the job. I am the only candidate with experience as budget
officer orchestrating and fine-tuning a $23 million county
budget. I am the only candidate who knows and has expe-
rience with the whole election process, which includes nine
incorporated towns as well as 74 special districts that each
have their own unique demands and requirements in the
election process. I am running on my record of the past eight
years.
NOYES: My priorities are the same now, as they were in 2002,
when I first took office. Financially, fiscal responsibility is
the top priority. It is important to stay within budget every
year, which I have done for the past eight years. Another ex-
ample of my fiscal responsibility is over the last eight years I
have returned unspent money from my budget to the county
general fund in the amount of $351,830.
WHAT DO YOU SEE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
ISSUE IN THAT OFFICE AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO
ADDRESS IT?
STUBER: To have a productive team that will comply with
procedures and state statutes, and to have respect for the
employees, and provide a good working atmosphere. By ad-
dressing these I believe that we will have more productive
last eight years. My weakness is my need to try and please
everyone. Some people would argue that this is not a weak-
ness, but a strength, and therefore I have not tried to com-
pensate. I believe it is my nature.
WHAT TWO OTHER ISSUES WOULD YOU LIKE
TO ADDRESS IF VOTERS GIVE YOU THAT
OPPORTUNITY?
STUBER: Try to make it easier for the public to get informa-
tion from the clerk's offices. To look for some more ways to
improve the Basin and Lovell offices.
NOYES: As always I am monitoring and fine tuning our proce-
dures, looking for improvement. I would also like to increase
the number of online documents that are available to both
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