Sen. John Barrasso and his wife Bobbi greet a young Cowboys fan at the Wyoming homecoming game on Oct. 13.
Sen. John Barrasso will run for Senate against Albany County Commissioner Tim Chesnut and Wyoming Country Party candidate Joel Otto on Nov. 6.
Sen. Barrasso is the Republican candidate and has been in office since 2007.
Some of his concerns for the state of Wyoming and country as a whole include healthcare, energy and the economy.
Because one of his primary issues is healthcare, he sponsored legislation in 2011 that would allow states to opt out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or that would allow the states to be excluded from certain aspects of the act.
“Healthcare has always been an issue for Wyoming, this legislation would allow states to opt out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” Sen. Barrasso said. “The healthcare plan where everyone has to buy insurance doesn’t set well with people in Wyoming. Especially if you already have insurance and you think it’s good enough, but Washington says it’s not.”
Energy is another topic he is concerned with. He supports all types of energies but still thinks coal and oil are important sources of energy.
“We need all sources of energy and we need to be efficient with it,” Sen. Barrasso said. “We need gas, oil, and uranium for nuclear energy. Even years from now, 85 percent of our energy will still be carbon-based or come from nuclear energy.”
In addition to Wyoming energy sources, Sen. Barrasso is also concerned about jobs in the state.
“I’m focused on jobs and the economy and all the spending that’s going on. Washington will sometimes make a one size fits all plan to fix everything which doesn’t always work out for people in the Rocky Mountain region or Wyoming,” he said.
He says jobs that are related to the energy industry are also harder to come by at this time because of regulations that are being enforced.
“Certain regulations that are coming out of this administration are making it harder to produce energy,” he said.
He would also be in favor of following Sen. Mike Enzi’s Penny Plan to balance the national budget.
“I think we need to make an amendment to the Constitution to balance the budget. Wyoming has to balance its budget every year and I think Washington should do the same,” Sen. Barrasso said. “I’m in agreement with Sen. Enzi’s Penny Plan which would cut one penny from every dollar the government spends and could balance the budget in 5 years.”
The election will take place on Nov. 6. Voters can register at the Albany County Courthouse Elections Office at 525 E. Grand Ave. or their respective polling places on Election Day. Voters must have a valid photo ID or certification of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization to vote.
