In spite of a lack of publicity, this year’s race for Wyoming Senate District 11 (SD-11) is one that will have an effect on UW students and Albany County residents alike.
Lynda Fleming (D) is challenging incumbent Larry Hicks (R) for his seat in the Wyoming Legislature, representing Albany, Carbon and Sweetwater counties. Both candidates live in Baggs and are UW graduates.
The Wyoming Senate is currently composed of 26 Republicans and four Democrats, and the state is divided into 30 senate districts.
Hicks is nearing the completion of his first term, which began in 2011. He said a standout moment in his term included voting on an amendment that restored historic culture by guaranteeing hunting and fishing for the future.
Hicks said he is running on a consistent constitutional conservative platform, adding that he believes in less involvement from the government.
“Most important is to continue to resurrect our formal republic government that was handed to us by the Founding Fathers. We are supposed to be a republic,” he said.
Fleming represents a more democratic stance. Although she supports more government involvement, she said it should only be enacted for people who need government help, such as the disabled.
Fleming has an extensive background, having served on various commissions and councils; however, this is the first time she is running for a legislature seat.
“I decided to run for senate, one, based on my experience, and two, I think I can bring another voice to the legislature,” she said. “I can bring issues to the table, like a lot of people type issues.”
Discrimination in the work place based on sexual orientation or gender identity is still technically legal in the state. Hicks voted nay on Senate File 131, which would have prohibited this discrimination, saying it has the reverse effect.
“We have to treat all people the same. Why would we write laws for one class of people if under our system of government if we are all the same,” Hicks said. “Discrimination is very low. This law doesn’t stop discrimination, only people stop discrimination.”
Fleming took a different stance, and said that she would be motivated to end sexual orientation discrimination, and that she supports marriage equality.
The recent discovery of unequal party representation on the UW Board of Trustees has been prominent issue throughout this election. The statute permits seven trustees to belong to the same party; however, there are currently nine Republican members.
Fleming noted this is not an issue to be ignored.
“I think since it’s been brought forth that definitely there should be an effort to have balances required,” she said.
On the contrary, Hicks said he believes party identification of the trustees is irrelevant, and it should not play a role in their decision-making.
“One thing I’ve always been proud of in Wyoming is we elect people off of their personalities,” he said. “It’s about good governance and good education – get off the politics and get on with the government.”
Both candidates were questioned as to why UW students should care about Senate District 11 and participate in voting. Hicks said it is all about taking care of the next generation right now.
“I’m not worried about getting elected this election cycle. I’m worried about looking out for the next generation,” he said. “I want to leave you a country better than I inherited with more opportunity and more ability take your knowledge and skills wherever you want to go.”
Fleming said she has similar objectives, including working with university students to help them receive the best education.
“I’m on the side of the people. If students have issues with say, education or student loans, the legislature could help,” she said. “I would be the person that could help them.”
The final day to vote for Fleming or Hicks is Tuesday.
