Three Republican candidates for Wyoming secretary of state laid out their priorities Thursday at a forum in Laramie, addressing topics from crossover voting and ballot drop boxes to protections for businesses against scams.
Why the race matters
The secretary of state’s office has taken on greater public attention in recent years amid heightened concerns about election integrity and corporate schemes, and it holds broad administrative duties across state government. The office oversees statewide elections, registers and authorizes businesses, and participates on several influential boards, including the State Board of Land Commissioners, the State Building Commission, the State Loan and Investment Board and the State Canvassing Board.
Current Secretary of State Chuck Gray announced in December that he will run for Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat, leaving an open contest for the state’s second-highest executive post. Whoever wins the Republican primary on Aug. 18 will face the lone Democratic candidate, Bryan McCarty, in the November general election.
Candidates and comments
Wednesday’s forum included remarks from three Republicans: Qwenton Eagle Oviatt, Converse County Commissioner Robert Short and CJ Young.
- Qwenton Eagle Oviatt — a Fremont County resident and academic advisor at Central Wyoming College making his first run for elected office — said he wants to bring practical, collaborative leadership to state government and focus on securing elections and protecting businesses from scammers.
- Robert Short — an entrepreneur from Glenrock who serves as Converse County commissioner and ran for U.S. Senate in 2020 — framed his candidacy around the need for leadership in the office.
- CJ Young — a Cheyenne Republican and former field representative for U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman who previously ran for the Wyoming House in 2014 — also participated in the forum.
"I believe we can secure our elections, protect our businesses from scammers, and bring people together instead of creating more divisions,"
Oviatt said. The forum did not include Republican candidate Rep. Rachel Williams of Cody, who has served in the Wyoming House since 2021 and chairs the Wyoming Freedom Caucus; Williams and one other GOP contender have prior public office or campaign experience, while Oviatt and Democratic nominee Bryan McCarty are newer to electoral politics.
Context and stakes for Wyoming
The next secretary of state will shape how Wyoming administers elections and manages corporate filings at a time when those responsibilities draw intense scrutiny from voters and businesses. The role’s membership on boards that oversee state lands, building projects and investments also gives the office influence over broader policy and fiscal decisions.
For counties and local election officials, the state secretary’s approach to rules on crossover voting, ballot drop boxes and election security measures can affect procedures, training and public trust. For businesses, the office’s handling of registrations and enforcement actions determines how easily entrepreneurs can form and maintain legal entities in Wyoming.
| Candidate | Background |
|---|---|
| Qwenton Eagle Oviatt | Academic advisor, first-time candidate |
| Robert Short | Converse County commissioner, entrepreneur, 2020 U.S. Senate primary candidate |
| CJ Young | Former congressional field representative, 2014 state House candidate |
| Bryan McCarty (D) | Democratic nominee; previously ran for U.S. House in 2022 |
Voters will decide which approach to election administration and business regulation they prefer at the ballot box. The Republican primary on Aug. 18 is the next major test for the GOP contenders; the eventual nominee will face McCarty in November.
The Laramie forum presented a chance for candidates to differentiate themselves on operational details and leadership style, even as many of the criticisms and concerns they addressed reflect broader national debates over administration of elections and corporate oversight.
— Lane Cassidy, News Block
