Albert Sommers announces intention to run for re-election to HD20
by Albert Sommers, House District #20 Representative
March 24, 2022
2022 Election Statement
Hello Sublette County and LaBarge, this is Albert Sommers announcing my intent to run for re-election to House District 20. For the last 10 years, I have proudly served the citizens of Sublette County and HD 20 in the Wyoming House of Representatives. This is the last time I will ask the citizens of Sublette County to support my re-election to the Wyoming House of Representatives, and the first time I will ask the good folks in LaBarge to vote for me. During the once-a-decade redistricting process this year, I worked hard to ensure that the redistricting plan approved by the Legislature had Sublette County and LaBarge linked together in the new HD 20.
During my time in the Legislature, I have steadfastly supported K-12 education, worked to balance the budget, supported the industries/businesses of Sublette County, and sought ways to diversify our economy. If re-elected as your Representative, I will continue to examine issues you bring to me, and try to direct pertinent issues to the appropriate committee, or draft a bill in response. I have had the good fortune to be able to help local government and county citizens navigate the bureaucracies of state agencies on numerous occasions, and hope to continue that work.
While serving on the Education Committee, my belief in local control of education has guided my approach in that Committee. Education is the most important gift society provides to the people. While serving as Co-Chair of the Select Committee on School Finance, I fought to fund our schools, and I will continue to support our constitutional requirement to provide an adequate and equitable education to all Wyoming K-12 students.
Wyoming has felt the effects of the political and market pressures on fossil fuels. We see our economy changing and some of our traditional revenue streams declining. Wyoming has a constitutional mandate to maintain a balanced budget. During the four years I served on the Joint Appropriations Committee, we cut over $900 million from the General Fund budget of state agencies to keep our budgets balanced. During my tenure in the Legislature, I have worked toward economic diversification across the state, while supporting and recognizing that our state and county engines still run on coal, oil, and natural gas. I have been part of the effort to create an adult education scholarship program called Wyoming’s Tomorrow scholarship, which is designed to fuel workforce development. Workforce development is a key component to attract new businesses to Wyoming and retool a changing workforce.
Wyoming must continue to diversify its economic base. Part of this work is ensuring Wyoming is investing in new technologies and the infrastructure that will allow our state to stay connected to the world. As Co-Chairman of the Broadband Task Force and member of the Broadband Advisory Council, I have worked to bring internet connectivity to all Wyomingites and Wyoming businesses, to allow them to conduct business with ease in the 21st century. There is no doubt that if we want to see the next generation stay in Wyoming, we need to have high speed, high quality, affordable broadband.
By bringing common sense, hard work and integrity to the state legislature, I have gained the respect of my colleagues and had the privilege of being elected to legislative leadership as Majority Whip, Speaker Pro Tempore, and this last term as Majority Floor Leader. If elected to a sixth term in the House, I will likely run for Speaker of the House. All Representatives work to represent their constituents, but these leadership positions allow me to better garner support for issues of importance to Sublette County, LaBarge, and Wyoming.
Issues facing HD 20 and Wyoming will change over time, and if elected I will continue to seek and articulate solutions to these challenges. I believe politicians at all levels need to maintain civility and work together to find solutions to the issues facing government and the people. I see the best government as that closest to the people. I will continue to look for guidance from the leaders and elected bodies of Sublette County and LaBarge, and value the opinions of all county citizens. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve each of you as your Representative and ask for your vote in the August 16 Primary Election.
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