CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Nearly two-thirds of the candidates for the Wyoming Legislature are unopposed in Tuesday's election.
The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported Monday (http://tinyurl.com/aon43hs ) 48 candidates for 75 seats in the state House and Senate have no opponents. That's 64 percent of the total.
In most races, the reason is because no Democrat is running.
Wyoming Democrats are trying to improve their showing, but it's a long-term project, party spokesman Brodie Farquhar said. The party is focusing on getting potential candidates some experience in city, county and school board offices, he said.
State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, said he was surprised that no one ran against him in the primary or the general election.
"I'm still going door to door to say 'Hi' and talk to people," he said. "I know I need to keep up my work ethic to maintain the trust people have in me despite the absence of an electoral challenger."
Zwonitzer said he's been helping his father, Rep. Dave Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, in his campaign.
"So I'm still feeling some of that stress through my family, for sure," he said.
Republican state Sen. Tony Ross, of Cheyenne, who also has no opposition, said he has been using the time he would have spent campaigning to plan for the 2013 session. Ross is in line to be the Senate president.
"I've been lining out who will be on what committees and what the agenda will be," he said. "There is a lot of work to be done."
Ross said he's also been advising some newer Republican candidates on their campaigns.
The nonpartisan Wyoming Women's Foundation is trying to encourage more women to run for office.
The foundation released a report Friday saying 30 percent of the candidates statewide for city, county and legislative positions are women.
The foundation is offering leadership courses and mentoring opportunities for women, regardless of party.
"A big part of it is just raising awareness," said Rebekah Smith, the foundation's program director. "We want them to stand up and say, 'I can do this' and to help them realize there is no reason why they shouldn't run."
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