(Fremont County, WY) – Following the tragic and sudden passing of County Assessor Tara Berg, the process began to determine who would be named as her successor on the ballot in the 2026 General Election in November, where Berg was running uncontested for reelection.
Following a special meeting of the Fremont County Republican Party Central Committee on Wednesday, September 9, Assessor’s Office employee Ella Riggs was chosen to be the ballot successor.
County Clerk Julie Freese recently shared that, in the event a partisan nominee from the Primary passes away before the General Election, the Republican Party central committee would need to determine who should succeed them on the General Election ballot as the Republican nominee moving forward.
Following the selection of Riggs, Freese stated that the Clerk’s Office “appreciate(s) the quick work of the party to help us keep on schedule in getting our General Ballots finalized by the statutory deadline.” The statutory deadline was 9 AM, September 11.
As Freese also recently shared, Berg’s passing created two separate vacancies: the one mentioned above for the November ballot, and also for the remainder of Berg’s current term, which runs through December and officially ends on January 3, 2027.
The Republican Party has been notified and will have 15 days to meet and select three qualified names to submit to the County Commissioners for consideration as a replacement.
The Commissioners will then have a regular meeting September 29, which is when it is expected that the three people selected by the party will be interviewed. Afterward, one will be selected to fill the remainder of the current term.
The General Election will take place on November 3.