Free Republic

Hunkins gains in fundraising Challenger Ray Hunkins outraised Gov. Dave Freudenthal in August, but the governor retains the bigger war chest. By Kevin Wingert rep3@wyomingnews.com CHEYENNE - In the month of August, the Republican gubernatorial challenger raised $17,000 more than the Democrat incumbent in the same period. "We were very pleased from the support we got from individuals in Wyoming in the month of August," Republican Ray Hunkins said. "We're running a grassroots campaign, and the grassroots are responding." During this latest and next-to-last filing of campaign receipts prior to the Nov. 7 general election, Hunkins raised $77,872.67 to Gov....

Hunkins denies role in GOP probe Freudenthal says statement untrue By Kevin Wingert rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - The Republican gubernatorial candidate disavowed any responsibility for the actions of the Wyoming Republican Party on Thursday and said he wanted to be responsible for leading the party back into a Reagan-esque era of unity. "The request was not made on my watch, so it is neither fair play nor 'clean politics' to associate this records request with me in any way," Ray Hunkins said. "This same principle holds true with respect to the radio advertisement: It was created...

Hunkins proposes 7 debates across state The Republican candidate said debates would carry his vision and the governor's to the people. By Kevin Wingert rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Republican gubernatorial candidate Ray Hunkins wants to relive a pivotal piece of U.S. history by engaging in seven debates throughout Wyoming with Democrat incumbent Gov. Dave Freudenthal. "We can raise the level of debate and make this truly a campaign about the issues," Hunkins wrote in a letter to Freudenthal, referencing the historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858. "To do it, we should engage...

Governor's spending lavish By Kevin Wingert rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - The chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party leveled a charge Friday that Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal is living a "high-rolling lifestyle" at the expense of the residents of Wyoming. "We knew from his budget proposals that the governor was a big spender, but what we found he spends on VIP treatment of himself is unconscionable to Wyoming citizens," Drake Hill said in a release about the Democratic governor, who currently is running for re-election. "Who else do you know that has a $50,000 lawn ornament?" Hill...

Still in the dark waiting Republicans' request for records unfulfilled By Kevin Wingert rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - After seven weeks of waiting, the chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party says he has not received a response from all of the state government's departments to his public records request. "I just feel like I'm being strung along here," said Drake Hill, the Republican Party chairman. "The roadblocks that we are encountering are really within the governor's office, itself." On June 9, Hill filed a request at several state agencies, including the office of the governor. It covered...

Paying their last respects Lying-in-state ceremony honors former Gov. Stan Hathaway By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Clear notes from a trumpet rang serenely in the Capitol Rotunda on Friday where former Wyoming Gov. Stan Hathaway was lying in state. The notes, which signaled the start of the lying-in-state ceremony honoring Hathaway, rose and echoed over the solemn gathering, adding to perceptions of history and loss marked by the occasion. Hathaway, who served as governor of Wyoming from 1967-75, died on Tuesday. A few people wiped silent tears as Thad and Chris Brown of Cheyenne...

Governor's beheading threat real - Lummis By Doug Hecox For the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Wyoming Treasurer Cynthia Lummis has confirmed Superintendent of Public Instruction Trent Blankenship's account of a threat made by Gov. Dave Freudenthal to the other state officials. At a private meeting of the state's top officials in December 2002, Freudenthal, then governor-elect, allegedly threatened to behead Lummis, State Auditor Max Maxfield, Secretary of State Joe Meyer and Blankenship, then superintendent-elect, if they went against him. In a phone interview, Lummis corroborated Blankenship's story, which first was reported last year in the...

Blankenship points to thorny relationship with governor By Jessica Lowell rep5@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Reaction was mixed Friday in the wake of Trent Blankenship's announcement that he's giving up his post as the state's top educator. The announcement came at a news conference in Casper, where Blankenship confirmed he has been hired as superintendent for the North Slope Borough School District in northern Alaska. He said he is leaving his Wyoming state post Aug. 1 but assuming his new duties July. Blankenship has about a year and a half left in his term. Even before the...

Historic Governors' Mansion opens today By Becky Orr rep6@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - People celebrated the 100th birthday of the Wyoming Historic Governors' Mansion in style Friday night at the centennial banquet. The evening recognized Wyoming governors, first ladies and first families. The gala paid tribute to those first family members whose efforts played a significant role in restoring the mansion at 300 E. 21st St. The Historic Governors' Mansion Foundation raised $1.5 million to restore the former home of Wyoming's top elected officials and their families. Money came from several sources, including the Legislature, donations, grants...

Many in favor of Freudenthal The chief of the Cowboy State ranks third in a nationwide survey that asked people to rate their governors. By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Gov. Dave Freudenthal is the third most popular governor in the country with a 67 approval rate among Wyoming residents surveyed. A poll, released earlier this month by Survey USA, lists the approval ratings for the governors of all 50 states. Only Govs. John Hoeven of North Dakota, with an approval rate of 71 percent, and Mike Rounds of South Dakota, 70 percent, were ranked...

Preservation effort gets help from Cheney By Kevin Wingert news@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - The second most powerful man in the country believes the Wyoming Historic Governors' Mansion is worth preserving. Wyoming's own Dick Cheney, the vice president of the United States, has donated money to the foundation overseeing the restoration of the historic landmark where 19 different gubernatorial families lived while in office. "To know that the vice president of our country is aware of your project and thinks enough of it that he wants to be part of it and wants to be part of...

Memorial brings attention to plight of the homeless By Michelle Dynes rep2@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - The holidays are in full swing. But not everybody has a family or even a home to go to at the end of the day. On Monday, the Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless held its 14th Annual Homeless Memorial Day to raise awareness and remember the homeless who have died. Advocates met on the steps of the State Capitol to bring attention to the plight of the homeless and the need for more affordable housing. Holding the memorial on the first...