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Hello residents of Wyoming Senate District 14. I am seeking the Republican nomination for Senate District 14 in the primary election on August 20, 2024. This decision comes after much reflection and with a deep commitment to continuing to serve our communities and the State of Wyoming.

I am honored to have served as Representative for Wyoming House District 20 (Sublette County) for the past 12 years, effectively representing my constituents with common sense, hard work, and integrity. Earning the respect of my colleagues, I held leadership roles including Majority Whip, Speaker Pro Tem, Majority Floor Leader, and Speaker of the House, and I developed strong relationships with legislators, agency heads, governors, county commissioners, mayors, industries, NGOs, and various organizations.

I have deep roots in Southwest Wyoming. I’ve been blessed to have spent my entire life here, working as a rancher, enjoying our vast landscapes and communities in one of the last, best places in the country. My grandfather and grandmother Sommers both arrived in Kemmerer around 1900 as teachers, and then married and homesteaded in the Upper Green River Valley. My mom’s side of the family came into the South Pass/Atlantic City area in the late 1860s. After my great-grandfather left the gold fields, he homesteaded in the upper Big Sandy country.

Senate District 14 encompasses a vast area, from Bondurant in the north to McKinnon in the South. It borders Utah and Idaho to the west and Fremont County to the east. Our senate district includes the communities of Kemmerer, Pinedale, Cokeville, Big Piney, Marbleton, Boulder, LaBarge, Diamondville, Daniel, and Opal, and the outskirts of Evanston and Green River.

I understand the opportunities and challenges in Southwest Wyoming. The minerals industry is the primary economic driver, followed by tourism and agriculture. Throughout my legislative career, I have advocated for each of these industries, serving on critical committees like Minerals, Education, and Appropriations, working to address issues that matter most to our communities.

During my time in the legislature, I have been a strong supporter for K12 education, recognizing that the future of Wyoming depends on a well-educated next generation. Furthermore, schools are the heart of our small towns in Southwest Wyoming. I believe strongly that government closest to the people serves people best and therefore I support local control as much as possible.

I believe fiscal responsibility drives policy and I am proud to have helped develop state budgets that limit government spending while supporting our Wyoming communities and residents. I have continually sought ways to enhance broadband in Southwest Wyoming, because connectivity keeps rural Wyoming businesses thriving.

I am a strong supporter of thoughtful property tax relief. As Speaker of the House during the 2024 Budget Session, I led the prioritization of property tax relief bills to ensure early debate. I consistently supported their passage. My diligence paid off, and resulted in five property tax relief bills passing the Legislature, with four signed into law by the Governor. As a member of the Management Council, I advocated for property tax reform as the top priority for the Revenue Committee in the coming months.

If elected to Senate District 14, I will continue to examine issues brought to me by you folks, and will try to direct those issues to the appropriate legislative committee or draft a bill in response. I will continue to help local government and county citizens navigate the bureaucracies of state agencies. I consider myself a common-sense, solution-oriented Republican.

My friend and colleague, Senator Fred Baldwin, has ably served State Senate District 14 and has now chosen to retire at the end of this year. My connections to this place and my service in the Wyoming House give me solid footing to run for the open Senate District 14 seat.

I deeply appreciate all the support I have received from my House District 20 constituents in the past. I would ask for your support and your vote in the upcoming primary election for the Republican nomination to Senate District 14.

During campaign season, you will hear many things about candidates. I am ready to answer your questions and listen to your comments at albert@albertsommers.com.