Elections are right around the corner, and around this time is when all of us should be taking a closer look at who represents us in the Legislature.  With redistricting, my Representative is now Rep. Bill Henderson, HD-41.  He is up for re-election this year and has two people running against him Jen Solis, a Democrat, and Matt Freeman from the Constitution Party.  If you are a Republican, this is the time to see if Rep. Henderson is the person you want as your representation.

Multiple attempts were made to interview Rep. Henderson through phone calls and emails listed as his contact information on the state website, but he never responded.

The Wyoming Republican Party has its platform and resolutions that elected Republicans vote on from each county to guide the ideals and values that Republicans in the state of Wyoming believe in and that those in office as Republicans should use as a beacon of light to guide them through the stormy waters of politics.

Rep. Henderson’s voting record on previous bills, whether they passed, failed, or were never introduced, is a peek into how well he is doing following this beacon of light representing Republicans in HD-41.

If Rep. Henderson had taken the time to sit down for an interview, the following questions would have been asked of him.  These are the types of questions that every legislator representing your political party should be asked.

  • As a Republican, is it reasonable to believe you will vote following the party platform and resolutions?
  • Why did you vote against HB92 https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2022/HB0092, reinforcing plank 1 of the GOP’s platform that life is created at conception?
  • Why were you against HJ03 establishing primary runoff elections? This follows Resolution #3, where candidates receive a simple majority vote.
  • Why were you for HB23, which would increase property taxes and changes the meaning of “agricultural land” to mean $5,000 agricultural-related revenues over $500; HB31, a scholarship fund that is taxpayer-funded; HB40, increasing judges housing allowances using taxpayer dollars, and HB96, increased salaries of state officials? These votes conflict with plank 17 that all taxes be collected for constitutional purposes.
  • Why were you for HB93, using taxpayer dollars for film production incentives? This conflicts with plank 11, preventing the government’s undue interference in the free market.  It also conflicts with plank 17.
  • Why were you not for HB118, a prohibition of mask discrimination for COVID-19? This conflicts with Resolution #6 that mask mandates are medical tyranny.
  • Why are you not involved with Laramie County GOP?

If you, as a Republican, do not like the guiding light of the Wyoming GOP’s platform and resolutions, then you need to reinforce that at a county level to be reflected at a state level.

Being represented in government means being involved and working together.  If we do not hold ourselves accountable for how we are represented, we cannot expect to get the representation we want.