“I am disappointed,” Selmer said. “I spent a long time working. I had hours of conversations with people and it taught me a lot about the people in the district.”
In a close race for Wyoming House District 46, incumbent Glenn Moniz (R-Laramie) claimed victory at the last second over opponent Mike Selmer (D-Laramie). The race was one of the closest in Albany County with the results unclear late into the evening.
The narrow margin of victory was not lost on Moniz.
“I thought it was very close,” he said. “My opponent worked really hard and did the best that he could. I am very grateful for all the people that came out and supported me and I think that is what made the difference.”
Though disappointed in the results Selmer was appreciative of the experience the campaign trail provided.
“I am disappointed,” Selmer said. “I spent a long time working. I had hours of conversations with people and it taught me a lot about the people in the district.”
Selmer said that he regrets the missed opportunity to represent a district that he learned much about during the campaign.
“I really appreciate the support I received from my constituents,” he said. “I plan to find a medium that allows me to communicate with them more effectively.”
“I enjoyed the process and being able to talk to so many people,” he said. “I am disappointed that I will not be able to represent them because I know I would have done it well.”
If elected Selmer would have been the first Democratic candidate to win HD-46.
Issues that were a main focus of the race included the expansion of Medicaid throughout the state as well as more accountability in the state legislature. Both candidates put an emphasis on the importance of Wyoming holding it’s own as a state.
The role of a state representative in the Wyoming State Legislature is to focus on what the people want. Tasks include listening to constituents, responding to requests, drafting and defending legislation and working with fellow legislators.
Now that Moniz is elected his next move will be working on communication with constituents.
“I really appreciate the support I received from my constituents,” he said. “I plan to find a medium that allows me to communicate with them more effectively.”
Other issues that Moniz promised to address while campaigning were university and K-12 education funding as well as funding for Laramie and Albany County infrastructure. The promise to protect Wyoming’s coal and fossil fuel industry was also paramount.
