Ron Micheli, Uinta County’s own candidate for Governor in 2010, stopped by the Machine Shop on Saturday to raise support and awareness for his campaign. HERALD PHOTO/Erin Buller

Stops by for fundraiser, questions at Machine Shop



It looks as if Uinta County will have its first candidate for governor of Wyoming in 2010 — at least since anyone could remember.

Republican Ron Micheli, native of Fort Bridger, announced his intentions of running for governor of Wyoming last fall. Now, as the political scene heats up statewide, Micheli stopped in Evanston on Saturday to campaign and fund-raise among loyal Republicans.

Micheli also agreed to sit down with the Uinta County Herald for a candid one-on-one interview. Those questions and answers follow.



Background

The Herald: “You spent 16 years (from 1979 to 1992) in the Wyoming House of Representatives and eight years (1995-2003) as the Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. How do you think that experience will help you in the role of governor?”

Ron Micheli: “I’ve been in the private sector for 40 years and I believe small business is the backbone of our economy. When I was 28 years old, I was elected to the legislature. With my legislative experience, I influenced the passage of laws and how that affects our state. Then when Governor Jim Geringer asked me to be a part of his cabinet, we packed up and did something we never thought we’d do. We left the Valley and lived in Cheyenne for eight years. With my executive branch experience, I know how state government runs. I know that state employees are the most important state resource out there. I think it’s important to know the executive branch of government as governor. I believe I’m the most experienced candidate out there in the Republican primary. I don’t think there will be another candidate out there with more experience in those areas.”

Herald: “You’ve been out of politics since 2003. What makes you want to get back into it all now?

Micheli: “My concern for the direction our country is going and my love for our state. I also have a desire to give back because of the wonderful opportunities I’ve been given. I am running for governor. I’ve been told I should take two aspirin, go to bed and sleep it off, but we’re way past that now.”

Herald: “You have eight children, 21 grandchildren and have been married to your wife Patty for 40 years. What was your family’s reaction when you stated your intention to run for Governor?

Micheli: “My family is heavily involved and very supportive. This is a family decision and family effort. My family has lived in the Valley for four generations now. This is definitely a family decision.”



The campaign

Herald: “Why are you running for Governor?”

Micheli: “I think Wyoming is a truly unique state blessed with so many opportunities. I fear those opportunities I’ve enjoyed may be threatened by the challenges happening in Washington, D.C. What happens in Washington has a direct impact on Wyoming. For example, cap and trade legislation will be devastating to the economy of Wyoming. I believe this health care package is unconstitutional. The deficits of this administration will saddle our children and grandchildren with a burden they will never come out from under. These are serious issues and we need to be engaged. Our state is not immune to this either. Our state budget has tripled in the last three years. I believe fiscal responsibility needs to come back to state government. We need to be a business-friendly state by making sure our taxes and regulations are not burdensome. It’s a little corny, but true — I’m running for governor because I love this state so much.”

Herald: “It seems like this governor’s race has the potential of getting pretty crowded, at least on the Republican side. What sets you apart from all the others.”

Micheli: “I believe I am the conservative candidate. I believe in traditional, conservative values, family values. That is what made our state great. I have a deep love for our founding fathers who said in the 10th amendment that the only powers delegated to the Federal Government are in the constitution. All other powers are reserved for the states. I am pro-family, pro-business and pro-Wyoming. The number one priority in our administration will be to protect states’ rights and the 10th amendment. People ask me all the time, ‘Can someone from Western Wyoming really win?’ I tell you, I’m not in this to lose. We’re not in this for fun. The key to winning the primary is getting our base together and holding them. And our base is Western Wyoming, social conservatives, oil and gas and agriculture. I think we’ll be fine.”

Herald: “Why did you begin your campaign so early?”

Micheli: “We actually filed last March because we don’t have great name recognition around the state and we’re not independently wealthy. We’re depending absolutely on a grassroots and volunteer effort. That takes time. I’m very honored and humbled by the response we’ve seen. By the end of 2009, we raised more than $180,000 from donors in all 23 counties with 95 percent in-state donations. That is extremely humbling. Unfortunately campaigns like this take a lot of money. But we’re doing it right. Grassroots is going to be key. And we think it’s doable.”



The issues

Herald: “What will you base your campaign on?”

Micheli: “Experience, leadership and commitment to the state. That will be our mantra. We see challenges coming at our lifestyle here in Wyoming. I’m afraid if we don’t do something to turn that sharp turn into socialism around, our lifestyle will be lost. When our federal government is federalizing our banks, passing economic stimulus packages ... cap and trade, if passed, will be the most egregious tax in the history of Wyoming. When we see this happening nationally, we’re at a crossroads in the history of our country. But I’m optimistic. I think we can turn around. The people in Wyoming are energized because they’re afraid for our country. So how are we going to stop the insanity coming out of Washington, D.C.? I think it goes back again to our Founding Fathers. They were so afraid of a strong central government, they fought a war against it. They bound down with chains the power of the federal government with a little document called the U.S. Constitution, which gives the states the power. That is our last line of defense. The number one priority in our administration will be to protect states’ rights and the 10th amendment.”

Herald: “What issues are important to you?”

Micheli: “The number one issue for Wyoming is jobs. We’re always a bit behind the curve in recessions and economic downturns, but we’re really starting to suffer. Job growth is the number one issue government can have a role in by making it possible for a private sector to exist.”

Herald: “Wyoming is known for its boom and bust cycles. Any ideas for changing that dependency on oil and gas booms and stabilizing that swinging pendulum?”

Micheli: “We have to diversify the economy and work on adding value to our God-given minerals. Those God-given minerals are shipped out of the state in raw form. We need to encourage the use of those minerals here. Find a way to extract the glass out of trona and there are lots of things we could do with the coal we have. We just have to use the resources the good Lord gave us.”

Herald: “With this budget session, Gov. Dave Freudenthal recently announced that local government funding could be cut drastically in the next fiscal year. What would you do for local governments as governor?”

Micheli: “I’ve always been a big fan of local governments. And I think they would be willing to take a cut, if it was across the board. But it’s not fair when the Governor says he’s cutting local governments by 60 percent, but state government by only 20 percent. I hope the legislature will turn that around this budget session. In the long run, cities, towns, counties and schools will be a top priority for my administration.”



Support

Micheli went on to remark on the people of Uinta County and the support he’s already seen. “I want to say what an honor it’s been to represent the people of Uinta County all these years. It’s been humbling to see the support coming out of here — $55,000 has already been raised from Uinta County alone. I’m very appreciative of the effort going on here,” Micheli said.

And at a fundraiser at the Machine Shop in Evanston on Saturday night, more support was forthcoming.

More than 250 people attended a dinner, auction and concert to raise awareness and support for one of Uinta County’s own native sons.

Auction items included baked goods, gift baskets, antiques, paintings, a TV, quilts, hunting and fishing trips, dinners, cords of firewood, a full lamb, a half a pig and five tons of hay, among other things.

The auction and dinner raised around $17,000 for Micheli’s campaign.

More information about Micheli and his bid for governor can be found at micheliforgovernor.com.