The sun was shining bright in Casper, Wyoming as seven Republican candidates vying for the state's lone U.S. House of Representatives seat gathered to debate and pitch their platforms to voters during the first Politics in the Park forum of the 2026 election season. The contenders are campaigning to succeed Rep. Harriet Hageman, who is vacating the House seat to run for the U.S. Senate position left open by retiring Sen. Cynthia Lummis.
Hosted by the Natrona County Republican Party and the Natrona County Republican Women, the forum featured a diverse range of candidates, each with their own unique perspectives on the issues facing Wyoming. The panel included Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, Casper native and military veteran Kevin Christensen, Secretary of State Chuck Gray, businessman and conservative activist Steve Friess, Casper-raised military veteran David Giralt, and former state Sen. Keith Goodenough.
The candidates frequently circled back to what they believe are the state's most crucial challenges, citing the cost of living, inflation, and the exodus of Wyoming's youth. Balow said she travels the state and constantly hears about the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and energy, while Gray placed the blame directly on federal spending. Goodenough emphasized that alongside economic issues, young people often leave because they desire a more "live and let live" social climate than what Wyoming currently offers.
On the topic of affordable housing, the panel was divided. Biteman argued that affordable housing will only come if Wyoming residents abandon their "Not In My Backyard" mentality and allow county commissioners to approve new subdivisions to meet high demand. Gray pointed to Wall Street speculation driving up housing costs nationwide and advocated for increased timber logging to reduce input material costs. Christensen said high federal interest rates are keeping families from securing mortgages.
The candidates also touched on healthcare access and the preservation of Medicaid. Christensen advocated for repealing the Affordable Care Act, while Balow suggested reforming the definition of able-bodied working adults. Goodenough pushed back against his opponents, arguing that the constant focus on waste and fraud hurts people who are barely surviving, adding that true waste occurs at the wealthiest levels of government.
Wyoming's public lands and its energy-driven economy were also addressed. All candidates strongly opposed the wholesale sell-off of federal lands, though some nuanced their answers. Friess agreed that while no one wants lands sold off in the middle of the night, sensible swaps could occur. Christensen said public lands are the birthright of Wyomingites.
Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for untaxable public lands was a unifying topic. Christensen said the federal government owes the state fair compensation, calling PILT non-discretionary. Biteman quipped that PILT should stand for "pennies in lieu of trillions," arguing that fair market value payments would force the government to rethink holding onto unused land.
On foreign policy, Biteman advocated for an overwhelming "peace through strength" approach, saying the U.S. should use overwhelming force and win rather than getting stuck in global stalemates. Gray said the U.S. must ensure no nation develops nuclear weapons without getting stuck in forever wars with boots on the ground.
The forum ended on a lighter note when moderators asked the candidates for their favorite thing about Wyoming. Christensen, Giralt, and Gray all answered that the people of Wyoming are their favorite. Goodenough agreed, though he added he loved "the way they used to be" – when neighbors could freely discuss politics without anger – even more.
The next Politics in the Park will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 at Washington Park, 951 S. Jefferson St. It will feature the Republican candidates for Wyoming's open U.S. Senate seat.
As the sun sets on Casper, Wyoming, it is clear that these seven Republican candidates are committed to serving their state and country with honor and integrity. As they continue to campaign across Wyoming, voters can expect to hear more about their vision for the future of our great nation.
Written by: Green Machine | The Citizen Edition
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