Can we stop fighting RINOs?

Wyoming’s primary election is in the books, with thousands of voters showing up at the polls on Tuesday to make their voices heard.

It was an interesting election, with less races than the 2022 election, and less candidates running against one another within those races. But that didn’t stop it from being highly contested, with tense debates and personal attacks as candidates presented arguments of why they were better than their opponents and what they would do differently.

It was also a campaign season where terms like “RINO” (“Republican in name only”) were often tossed around and candidates debated what it meant to be a “true” patriot/conservative/etc.

Admittedly, the worst of the mud slinging came from out of state flyers that were largely criticized and debunked by local candidates and public leaders. Still, that doesn’t mean the candidates themselves didn’t call one another out on their differing opinions as well, with accusations of not truly believing, voting for, or representing the right ideals either stated or implied.

Also, the elephant in the room is a big one — the fact that it was almost entirely elephants in the room, with practically no donkeys to be seen.

The vast majority of candidates were Republican, with only five Democrats running in the entire election. Over 83% of voters were also Republican, although a decent chunk of Democrats still showed up at the polls as well.

These facts demonstrate an interesting trend in Wyoming and Sweetwater County, where the divide between Republican choices and Democratic choices just keeps widening. Often, Democrats have little to no actual choices in the primary election, and many races end up being decided in the primary when there are no democrats running at all.

This may be one reason why many who may have more Democratic beliefs and tendencies are actually registered Republicans, being technically inside the party so they feel like they can have a say. It’s also a reason many candidates end up switching parties, giving them a better shot at getting elected by running on a Republican ticket. So, perhaps it is true that many people within Sweetwater County are “Republican in name only,” because they feel that it’s the only way to be involved in the process.

With this being the case, we’re seeing a larger amount of diversity of opinions within the Republican party. This is why the term “RINO” has become increasingly weaponized, used by individuals or groups to label those whose views and policies differ from their own. It’s as if by saying someone is a RINO, you’re saying that all their positions are incorrect and invalid.

Honestly, I’m very bothered by this whole mentality.

First, it plays into the “us vs. them” way of thinking that is already so prevalent in our society, and so dangerous. This mentality is often seen between political parties, where “the other” is viewed as the enemy, as only morally wrong and in need of being defeated. This is problematic enough on its own. But now the same mentality is also extending to different factions and people on different sides of the spectrum within one party. So if you’re labeled a RINO, it means you’re wrong and must be stopped.

This also creates the idea that everyone within a political party should have exactly the same beliefs all the time. People act like sharing the same political label should make everyone cookie cutter images of one another, and you’re only a “true” member of the party if you fit one exact profile. The problem is, each person bases that cookie cutter image off of themselves and their own beliefs. And if you don’t align, you’re wrong.

But the reality is that absolutely none of us will agree all of the time on every issue. And that’s a good thing!

The concept of democracy and representation is that there is power within diversity, and that listening to people as a whole, with all their different perspectives, is how we can find solutions. When we disagree, the answer isn’t to immediately fight and shame each other. Disagreements are an opportunity to listen (not just react), to have good faith discussions, and to try to truly understand. We also need to stop dehumanizing those we disagree with, and stop assuming that their motives are evil. If we give each other the benefit of the doubt, and believe we’re all trying to do what’s best, we can maintain respect even through disagreements, and work together to find compromises and solutions that work.

When it comes to the actual RINOs in Sweetwater County, we have to ask — when choices are taken away from people, how much can we blame them for wanting to maintain the ability to choose? The idea of a two party system is designed to create more choices. But here, it just doesn’t work that way.

So, when it comes to the diverse range of opinions within the Republican party, I have a radical idea. Instead of fighting it, why don’t we embrace it?

Instead of being up in arms about who does and doesn’t fit the label, why don’t we listen to the differing ideas people have, and use them to find solutions and make all of us stronger together?