JD Williams

Occupation: Rancher

Town of residence: Lusk

Office running for: House District 2 Representative

Party affiliation: Republican

Why did you decide to run in this election?

The next generation is the reason I am running for House District 2 Representative. Whenever we take our eyes off of the next generation and start thinking about the next election, we run the risk of putting our politics over our principles. Wyoming deserves the truth from their legislators, not east coast talking points. Common sense goes a long way in the ranching world and in the legislature. When we have good years, we can afford to invest in Wyoming. When we have lean years we know how to tighten our belt. I am frugal but not stingy. I have proven “you cannot starve the profit out of a cow.” When I consider my responsibility to the next generation of Wyomingites, I understand it is more economical to responsibly maintain a cow, a ranch, or the State of Wyoming than defer maintenance for my generation’s short term gratification.

What experiences, skills or education makes you qualified for the office?

My objective in all things is to be effective. It doesn’t matter how right we are if we aren’t effective. A passionate and intelligent legislator can be rendered ineffective by lack of communication skills, lack of manners, or lack of respect for the institution and for their peers. House District 2 deserves honest, effective representation. House District 2 only has one vote. Your legislator must be in a position to garner support from the rest of the legislative body to pass legislation meaningful to our district. Political theater is not to be confused with effective representation.

If elected, what do you see as the most important issue impacting your office during your term?

Wyoming is under a lot of economic pressure from the Biden administration’s economic policies. Inflation is nationwide and our core industries of coal, oil, and gas are being choked by the Biden administration’s permitting games. We are also getting market pressure from consumers who, for reasons many of us can’t relate to, have carbon on their minds. Coal, oil, gas, trona, tourism, and agriculture have historically supported Wyoming citizens and the State of Wyoming economy. Every policy the legislature crafts must take these industries into consideration. Anytime we can support these industries, we must. Any policy that puts more pressure on our proven industries is unwise. Biden’s open southern border has made every state a border state. This is a very expensive situation that we will be dealing with for the foreseeable future.