As candidates, we did something radical this last election. While campaigning, we made it a point to also listen to what voters had to say. Our group even invested in some polling to confirm what we were hearing in person. We got a very clear idea from Wyoming voters what was concerning them and what they wanted done.
What was so radical about that? For one thing, we are breaking from the time-honored tradition of running as conservatives and then voting as moderates once we’re here. Like President Donald Trump, we planned to state clearly what we wanted to do, then go do it.
Opinion
We identified five areas that voters told us mattered to them the most, then we helped craft legislation that would address those priorities. Then we came here to the session and did what we said we were going to do. From some people’s reactions, that is apparently not “the way it’s done” in Cheyenne.
President Trump’s election triumph was historic. He does not believe he was elected to a second term to maintain the status quo. In his campaign, he made it real clear what he was going to do, then this past week or so, has set about doing it like no one before.
In re-electing Trump, one thing voters rejected was continued reliance on the “expert” class, the so-called “people who know better.” Those experts took every wrong turn during the pandemic, have trapped our nation in endless foreign wars, created multiple systems of justice, flooded the borders, tried to kill fossil fuels, weaponized the courtroom against Trump and his supporters, and run up over $37 trillion in national debt.
We think the sweep of all seven swing states, the Electoral College, and the popular vote was solid confirmation that Trump was re-elected to undo everything done by the worst president in American history and his cronies of both parties.
Don’t forget, Wyoming was number one among 50 states in supporting President Trump in saving our nation. Wyomingites led the rejection of entrenched elitists, the “people who know better.” Wyoming voted for a Trump agenda of bold action and common sense.
But surprising as it may be, in both Washington and here in Wyoming, there are Republicans who evidently missed the memo. The McConnell/Cheney wing of DC Republicans is still somehow kicking. That wing may have a presence here, as well.
In an article about our “Five and Dime” action plan, Sen. Tara Nethercott, a charter member of “the people who know better,” had this to say about our first five bills: “I am concerned with the level of the freshman House members. Certainly learning that skill set takes a little bit of time, so since they’re new, maybe they haven’t developed the level of skill to amend bills to work through the way a more senior legislator would.”
We are sure that the voters who elected Trump and all of us conservatives to office will be comforted to know that Nethercott is there to condescendingly pump the brakes. Her comment was another way of patting us on the head and cooing, “Well, bless your hearts.”
But she hasn’t insulted only us — given the process we followed and the input we got from Wyoming voters, she has insulted everyone who voted for us. She is insulting you.
Several of us may be new to the Legislature, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been paying attention. Our five bills were sensibly considered and carefully based on voter input. That said, we are only one-third of the equation. We know perfectly well that, starting with the Senate, there is a lot to do before our voter-driven agenda becomes law.
We all know that the Senate can derail our efforts. They can “put it in the drawer” and not even give our bills a hearing. They can water them down to the point that they accomplish little or nothing. This is all in the playbook of those who run as conservatives and somehow get political amnesia when it comes time to legislate. You know, they become “the people who know better.”
And that is where voters re-enter the picture. Every voter who supported our election to the House also has a senator. Every one of those senators has an email address and a phone number, as does the governor. We have done what we said we would do, now it is time for the people of Wyoming to step up and make themselves heard.
Sincerely, Representatives Nina Webber (HD 24), Joel Guggenmos (HD 55), Darin McCann (HD 48), Marlene Brady (HD 60), and Joe Webb (HD 19).
Thanks for the reminder. I will be messaging the Senate members, but it won’t be in support of the Freedom Caucus knee-jerk bills.
Listening to the voters, really? How many want to give the state our public lands? Perhaps you should check into that before trying to give all of them away. You know they won’t stay in the hands of the state. The state can’t manage the lands they have. Instead, they give away anything that might make money, nevermind that a good share of the money we derive from the tourist industry is related to wildlife and associated observations. State lands are the first to be drilled, no matter where they are at, like in theidfle of a migration corridor. But maybe we haven’t actually designated it yet, so we can postpone that designation until after we get a lease on it.
Who are you really listening to???
Sounds like Heritage 2025
Don’t be fooled on who actually authored this ridiculous piece. Scott Weber aka Gunrunner (her boyfriend, livin-in, etc.) does all of the thinking and talking for Nina. Everyone in NW Wyoming knows this. Have any issues or questions regarding House Dist. 24? You need to directly correspond with Gunrunner Mr. Weber
The ignorance and arrogance displayed in your article is astounding, but then again, great ignorance leads to great arrogance. Following your view of things, any ranch hand that can deliver a calf is as good as a board certified obstetrician. Or maybe one of your voters believes the earth is flat and was made in six days should be appointed to develop the science curriculum for public schools. Your, and the rest of the Freedom Caucus’ faulty approach to complex issues is why our state is on a steep downward trend, a race to the bottom.
A majority of Wyomingites did not vote. A majority of Americans did not vote. So don’t get too carried away with your self-righteous BS. Why don’t you put your efforts into providing real growth, such as voting rights, healthcare and education. All you are doing is taking away. That’s brilliant. 😤
Only 9% of eligible Wyoming voters voted in the 2024 primary and since most races were decided in the primary, the Freedom Caucus did not receive a mandate from the people. The people did not show up. I promise to work really hard this midterm to get as many to the polls as I can. This social engineering interference by the freedom caucus taking away my personal freedoms particularly my own body decisions has got to stop.
Isn’t it common sense that a brand fresh mechanic, with lots of good intentions, and strong beliefs in divine guidance, will do a great job fixing a car in much less time than an older trained and experienced mechanic? And especially if they go with how the car owner says to fix it. Something about freedom from knowledge and experience leads to great problem diagnosis and fixes. Most everyone agrees the combination of inexperience and fast usually turns out real good, right?
The view from inside the curved glass of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus fishbowl.
Dunning-Kruger effect. Be sure to make an appontment with a failed comic or human waste disposal owner when you have cancer or a heart issue.
And a reminder, Trump won with less than 50% of the cast ballots. And only about 30% of the total number of eligible voters. So much for a “mandate”.
You’re delusional and have an inflated sense of self worth. The sooner that you all get voted out, the better off wyoming, and the general public, will be. Quit pissing on people trying to convince them it’s only the rain.
None of your bills do anything to better the state of Wyoming or people who live here. You should all crawl back into the hole you came out of!