CANDIDATE FORUM
Primary Election 2024
July 23, 2024
JOHNSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER
CANDIDATE FORUM
Two candidates are running for one seat following Commissioner Bob Perry’s resignation.
They are Steve Kozisek and Jerry “Ozzie’ Osborn.
INTRODUCTION 4:40
Q: Please introduce yourself and explain why you are running, and what qualifications or experience you have that would be relevant. 5:40
A: Kozisek, Osborn
Q: What are the most significant issues facing local government in Johnson County? What would be your approach to addressing them? 11:00
A: Osborn, Kozisek
Q: What would be your approach to addressing our county’s infrastructure and service needs, such as road maintenance, public safety, and healthcare, while also balancing the county’s budget?
Would you do anything differently than is being done now? 14:50
A: Kozisek, Osborn
Q: What would you like to accomplish during your term? 19:45
A: Osborn, Kozisek
Q: Rebuttals or Specific Additional Comment 23:30
You have heard your opponent speak. If there are any specific points you would like to address or remark upon this is your opportunity to do so. Please be specific and then we will move on to your closing statement.
A: Kozisek, Osborn
Q: Closing Statements 27:40
We invite each of you to make a closing statement to appeal to the voters.
This is your opportunity to highlight your vision, key priorities, and the unique qualities that make you the best choice for County Commissioner.
A: Osborn, Kozisek
CLOSING 30:00
HOUSE DISTRICT 40 & SENATE 22
CANDIDATE FORUM
House District 40 Candidates: Marilyn Connolly, Mark Jones, Liberty Poley
Senate 22 Candidates: Barry Crago, Mark Jennings
Candidates for both House and Senate seats answered questions. They were combined because Senators and House Representatives will face the same issues as legislators, albeit in separate chambers.
(Candidates were seated alphabetically: Marilyn Connolly, Barry Crago, Mark Jennings, Mark Jones, Liberty Poley)
We sincerely apologize to our listeners, and especially to Mr. Mark Jones, for the poor audio quality in some sections of this recording due to a technical problem with microphone cables that was not evident during the recording. We have taken every step possible to minimize any discomfort.
INTRODUCTION FOLLOWED BY QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD 0:00
1. What prompted you to run for this position now? 1:20
What previous experience or qualification do you have that would be of benefit?
– Connolly 1:50 Crago 4:15 Jennings 5:40 Jones 6:40 Poley 9:00
1.2 Follow-up question to each candidate:
– Mark Jennings: You also are currently serving out the end of your fifth term as Wyoming House District 30 Representative. Why did you choose to stand for the Senate instead? 11:15
– Barry Crago: You are also currently a House District Representative, coming to the end of your second term representing House District 40. Why did you also choose to stand for the Senate instead? 12:10
1.3 Question to current House District Representatives:
What is the difference between the House and the Senate?
– Crago 14:25 Jennings 15:10
1.2 – Liberty Poley: You have just graduated from college and you are only 23 years old. You have gained an academic understanding of politics through your college education but you have very little ‘real world’ experience. What do you say to people who are concerned about your age, your lack of experience or maturity? 16:10
– Marilyn Connolly: Many people know your name from your time as Emergency Management Coordinator, and board positions, notably Rural Healthcare District Board. What do you offer that should convince voters to support you? What would you say to those who may be hesitant to vote for you?18:10
– Mark Jones: You moved to Wyoming just 3 years ago, what do you say to people who wonder if you understand Wyoming culture and can effectively represent them? 20:45
2. Voters know there is division and fracture within the Wyoming GOP, but they are unclear as to what the differences are. Explain your views on the division within the Wyoming GOP and where you agree or disagree with your opponent(s).
– Poley 23:10 Connolly 2:20 Jones 26:10 Crago 28:30 Jennings 30:45
3.1 Wyoming’s economy and funding model heavily relies on energy and mineral extraction, remaining dependent on fossil fuels and other natural resources.
What specific policies or strategies do you support or propose to ensure responsible state spending and saving to enhance Wyoming’s financial stability and long-term prosperity?
– Crago 34:45 Jennings 36:15 Connolly 37:40 Jones 39:50 Poley 41:55
Follow-Up Question:
What can be done at the Wyoming state level to counter federal overreach?
– Connolly 43:40 Crago 45:25 Jennings 47:25 Jones 45:45 Poley 50:35
4. Wyoming has been described as “a small town with long streets”. This district (HD40 or Senate 22) is characterized by small towns rather than one of Wyoming’s larger cities. Over the next two years, the state will distribute $165m to small towns and cities across the state to support local services and infrastructure.
What is your opinion on the appropriate level of funding from the State to support small-town services and infrastructure?
– Jennings 52:05 Poley 54:10 Crago 54:55 Connolly 56:30 Jones 57:45
5. The Republican Party often emphasizes its commitment to ‘law and order.’ As a candidate for the legislature, what are your views on how law enforcement agencies, such as Sheriff and Police Departments, can effectively protect the public while safeguarding individual citizens’ 2nd Amendment rights?
– Jones 59:20 Crago 1:01:10 Jennings 1:03:00 Poley 1:04:05 Connolly 1:04:50
6. What policies would you support to reduce high property taxes?
How would you ensure services that are funded by property taxes are maintained despite a reduction in tax revenue?
– Connolly 1:06:40 Jones 1:09:00 Poley 1:10:50 Crago 1:13:00 Jennings 1:15:15
7. Rebuttals or Specific Additional Comment
You have heard your opponents speak. If there are any specific points you would like to address or remark upon, this is your opportunity to do so. After that, we will move on to your closing statement.
– Connolly 1:17:30 Crago 1:19:15 Jennings 1:20:50 Jones 1:21:25 Poley 1:23:35
8. Closing Statements
We invite each of you to make a closing statement to appeal to the voters.
– Poley 1:24:40 Jones 1:25:40 Jennings 1:27:50 Crago 1:29:20 Connolly 1:31:25
PUBLIC QUESTION
Rod Odenbach 1:34:45
Responses from (in order):
Mark Jones, Mark Jennings, Marilyn Connolly, Barry Crago, Mark Jennings, Mark Jones, Liberty Poley
CLOSE
