GOP seeks Hunt’s replacement

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Republican Party Central Committees from Goshen, Niobrara and Weston counties will come together to select three candidates to fill the House District 2 seat after the resignation of Rep. Hans Hunt, R-Newcastle, on Oct. 1. Hunt is going to work on Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ staff in Washington, D.C.
To select the candidates, a special meeting will be held on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. in Lusk at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds, 4080 U.S. Highway 20. 
In the spirit of transparency, Weston County Republican Party Chairman Kari Drost said that the public, regardless of party affiliation, is invited to attend the interview process during the Lusk meeting. 
While the public is invited to attend, Drost said that Weston County Precinct committee men and women from Precincts 1-1, 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3 will be voting members. These people can either attend or appoint a proxy from within their precinct. 
“Per Wyoming Statute 22-18-111(a)(ii), this joint meeting is tasked with choosing three candidates to be presented to a joint board of Weston, Niobrara and Goshen county commissioners for final candidate selection,” she said. 
The commissioners will meet within five days of receiving the names forwarded to the joint board, per statute, and choose a replacement to fill the position for the remainder of Hunt’s term, which is up in 2022.
Those wishing to throw their name into the ring must apply by contacting their county Republican Party chairman — Drost in Weston County, Jeb Hansen in Niobrara County and Kirk Haas in Goshen County. Drost said that submissions must be received before 5 p.m. on Oct. 12. 
To qualify for the seat, Drost said, the interested party must reside in  House District 2 as of Oct. 1, the date of Hunt’s resignation. Per the Wyoming Constitution, a Wyoming House of Representatives candidate must be 21 years old.