Wyo Democrats could get gubernatorial candidate this week

By Tom Lacock, Cowboy State Free Press Correspondent

CHEYENNE–Cheyenne attorney Paul Hickey said he is planning an announcement on a decision to run for Governor this week. Hickey ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Dave Freudenthal in the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

“I have been encouraged by the leadership of the Democratic party, past office holders and friends from around the state,” Hickey said. “It is not an easy decision, but we will make a decision this week.”

Hickey, the son of former Governor J.J. Hickey, said he doesn’t have an exploratory committee in place, “yet.” The former member of the Wyoming Natural Gas Pipeline Authority and Wyoming Water Development Commission said he feels familiar with the issues of the state.

He added he feels the state has an independent streak when it comes to voting for the centrist Democrat perspective, citing the elections of Mike Sullivan and Dave Freudenthal to the Governor’s office.

Hickey is a Cheyenne native who went to the University of Wyoming for undergrad as well as his law degree and said for him, the first question was whether or not he felt he could contribute his efforts to the State of Wyoming. The second question is financial.

“I have also looked at whether or not at this point in the year if all of the resources that can be put in place for a successful campaign have been put in place and marshaled,” he said. “Most people think campaigns are too damn long anyways and I don’t think it is too late for a Democrat to organize a campaign.”

Hickey may be in the minority of Democratic party members who are ready to announce a decision on running for a statewide elected position. Wyoming Democratic Party chief Bill Luckett said last week he believes the party will find enough candidates to fill the ballot for Wyoming’s five statewide elected officials.

“We don’t have any candidates who have committed to run any specific races at this time, at least not that I am aware of,” Luckett said. “That being said, there are several people who have contacted party officials and expressed an interest in statewide races.

“Some may think it is strategically wise to keep their cards close to the vest,” he added.

One candidate’s name which has made the rounds is Laramie Democrat Mike Massie. Massie said he has made progress towards a decision to run for one of the five statewide elected positions, but decided to hold off on saying which one until early April.

“We’ve been exploring it (the idea of running for statewide office) more completely now that I have had some time after the session,” Massie said Friday. “I still haven’t come down to a firm decision, but I will in the next couple weeks. Right now we are examining multiple options.”

Massie said the issues he is looking into involve the conversations he has had from citizens around the state as well as finances involved in running a campaign. He said he has been asked to run for multiple positions amongst the five statewide elected positions, but said he isn’t considering a run just to run.

Worland House Rep Debbie Hammonds added that she was not running for statewide office either, despite, “lots of wonderful encouragement to do so.”

“I am fascinated with why people think certain individuals have the qualities needed, and why they don’t think others do,” she said. “It’s persona and rhetoric, the ability to connect with others — they assume you could manage a three billion dollar enterprise!”

Rodger McDaniel of Cheyenne was a Wyoming State Legislator for 10 years and ran for the United States Senate in 1982. He is now the Wyoming Department of Health’s Deputy Director. He said he isn’t interested in running for any public office, though he appreciates the fact people are naming him as a prospective candidate

“There was a time when I had that fire in my belly, but I don’t know if I could light it again,” McDaniel said. “It is a compliment when anyone thinks you might have the ability to service in public office, but I enjoy what I am doing in the fields of substance abuse and mental health.”

Luckett said the lack of candidates to this point is not a concern. He said the funds for Democratic campaigns will be there whenever candidates decide to announce their campaign. With no primary challengers, it isn’t necessary to really start campaigning until closer to the August primary election.

“On the GOP side you had one or more candidates announce early, which forced the hand of the other people,” Luckett said. “You don’t want to run against a primary when you are many months behind in campaigning and fundraising. It’s easier for a candidate to raise money than a party.

“We don’t know who the other side is going to nominate (in the primary election),” he continued. “We don’t know what is going to come out in the primary about one or more of the candidates. As can happen in this state, if the Republicans in the state are dissatisfied with the Republican candidate, there may be enough Republicans who are willing to give a Democrat a fair shake.”