On November 3, Wyoming will elect a new member of the United States Senate to represent the state. Both major parties have nominated a female candidate, resulting in the first Wyoming female Senator no matter who wins.
The Democratic nominee, Merav Ben-David is a University of Wyoming professor of zoology and physiology, a veteran, and a scientist.
“It is time we stop thinking of Wyoming as an energy producing state. We have so much more to offer, especially to our young people. We need to create high-paying, stable jobs so that you, our graduates, can stay here. These include jobs in the technology sector, biotechnology, robotics and more. Crucially, in the transition to this economy, we can’t leave anyone behind,” Ben-David said.
“We need to install rural broadband, reclaim coal mines, plug abandoned oil wells, repair our roads and build wildlife overpasses, all of which will help employ those who may find themselves out of a job.”
Ben-David’s platform has four main parts, according to her site: future proofing Wyoming, taking care of Wyomingites, protecting the state’s way of life and improving America’s world standing.
Ben-David said, “Almost everyone I speak with in Wyoming understands that anthropogenic climate change is real. Instead, the question I hear most is, ‘What about the economy? What about our jobs?’ So it is fear of losing our main source of revenue that is driving. The only way to help Wyomingites overcome this fear is to give them hope, to show them that they’re not going to be left behind. And that’s the message that I have been delivering around the state and people positively respond to that.”
According to UW junior Kailee Behunin, that’s exactly what Ben-David is doing.
Behunin, who is studying Anthropology said, “I think that it’s so refreshing to have a scientist running. She’s a competent, capable candidate and I think she’s exactly the kind of representation we need.”
Ben-David’s research has sent her all across the globe, from the Arctic Ocean to the Amazon to Patagonia to Alaska.
“We live on a beautiful planet and I feel lucky that I have got to see and study so many parts of it,” she said. “I can say the same about Wyoming. I have been all over our state, have seen many of Wyoming’s nooks and crannies, and will be hard pressed to choose a favorite.”
Ben-David urges young people to be involved, civically and politically, and to reach out to her with what is on your mind.
“We are living through unprecedented times, and the actions we take today will have profound effects on what your world will look like in the near future. You need to make your voices heard…I will always listen, and I will always advocate for you.”
