Boring Election

Wild inflammatory stuff is happening in Alaska, Nevada, and New Hampshire. Tea party politics really stir stuff up.

But it’s yawning time in Wyoming.

Cynthia Lummis labors on, trying to make tea party fizz. But no one cares.  She is a shoo-in, unless these accusations about invading Mexico or dying to avoid taxes gain traction.

Cynthia Cloud, surprisingly defeating Bruce Brown in the primary, has a lock on the State Auditor position.

Max Maxfield, one of two ghosts perpetually haunting the Capitol Building, wearing a different shroud every eight years, seems assured of another term as Secretary of Paperwork.

Joe Meyer, having haunted the Capitol for most of my lifetime – as Assistant Director of the Legislative Service Office, Attorney General, Secretary of State, chain-smoker (now smokeless) and Treasurer – will remain in his Treasurer role for a bit.

Cindy Hill, in contrast, has a real race with Mike Massie.

The Governor’s race seems surreal; Gov. Freudenthal declines to endorse Leslie, the Wyoming Public Employees Association union declines to endorse Leslie. This is sad; Leslie is a person of principle, whether you agree with her views or do not.  Wouldn’t we expect, regardless of our own persuasions, that these people would endorse a credible, respected candidate on the Democratic ticket?

It seems certain that Matt Mead will be the next Governor, but I think Leslie deserved better.

However, The Sage Grouse, indulging certain impish impulses, wants to make a little mischief.  The Cloud uncontested race for State Auditor and the Meyer uncontested race for State Treasurer lack suspense and color. Let’s provide some of the latter: write in “The Sage Grouse” for both slots when you go to the polls. (Don’t actually write in the author’s name. That would ruin the headlines.)

“The Sage Grouse upsets two incumbents, wins two seats on the Land Board; can outvote the new Governor on state boards, gets dizzy running back and forth across the rotunda, buys rollerblades.”