The U. Wyoming Ballroom was packed with people as the democratic and republican candidates discussed issues on Tuesday night at the ASUW sponsored forum. The Democrats were Leslie Peterson, Chris Zachary, and Pete Gosar. They debated issues such as UW controversial speakers, gun rights, and the Arizona immigration law. The republicans were Matt Mead, Rita Meyer, Ron Micheli, Colin Simpson, and Tom Ubben.
The democrats debated from 6 to 7 p.m., and the republicans debated from 7 to 8 p.m. Bob Beck of Wyoming Public Radio asked questions to the candidates. When asked how to handle controversial speakers invited to UW such as Bill Ayers, all democratic candidates said they support free speech.
“If a department at the university wants to bring controversial speakers, I would keep my nose out of it,” said Peterson. Gosar said that he was very disappointed with the way UW handled the Bill Ayers affair and went on to advocate free speech.
“If you can’t guarantee free speech at the University, where can you guarantee it?” he asked.
According to Zachary, “It would be between the student body and the faculty about who they want speaking.”
The democrats also discussed second amendment rights and gun control laws. Pete Gosar and Leslie Peterson both agreed that they support second amendment rights. Peterson reiterated that she grew up on a farm, and she said that “[She] grew up comfortable with hunting and supports second amendment rights.”
“It is important that gun ownership rights be protected,” said Gosar. Zachary concurred, although she also made clear that she “lived for 45 years without a gun, but if it is for sport then I have no problem with it.”
All of the democratic candidates do not support the Arizona immigration law, although they do understand the reasoning behind the law.
The first question Beck asked to the republican candidates was in regard to the high suicide rate in Wyoming, and “how to address this in teens and young adults.”
Ubben responded that “education and good family values” are necessary in decreasing the suicide rate. Micheli expanded on this thought by saying that there is a “problem in society with the breakdown of the family, and we [his family] would like to institute programs so families are reading together, eating together.” Matt Mead stated that the suicide rate is “unacceptable across the board,” and school programs such as the DARE program can help. “Education is a big part of it,” he added.
The republican candidates also debated about the role of governor in bringing controversial speakers to UW. The governor appoints the University Board of Trustees, and the republican candidates all agreed to simply trust their board’s judgment.
“I will not micro manage the University of Wyoming,” said Rita Meyer about the governor’s role at UW.
According to Simpson, “The governor should trust their [the board of trustees] judgment.”
Mead advocated for a centralized “process” to bring guest speakers to UW.
When asked about the recent national health care bill, the candidates responded differently. Meyer stated that she did not agree with the law, but “she will continue to recruit health care positions to the state.”
“I believe it [the law] is unconstitutional, and I believe we should join the law suit with the twenty states,” Micheli passionately responded.
Matt Mead and Colin Simpson both took a less impassioned approach. Mead said that it is best to figure out how to deal with the law if it stands, and Simpson promoted the increased availability of insurance across state lines.”
The primaries loom large for the candidates, and all of the candidates are feeling the need to stand out from the crowd.
“It is anyone’s race this year,” said Larry Wickam, a Laramie citizen, on Thursday night. “We came out here to figure out which candidate we wanted to vote for, but they all did pretty well. I still don’t have a good idea.”