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On Oct. 8, the League of Women Voters of Fremont County sponsored a forum for Rep. Sarah Penn and challenger Ivan Posey, the candidates for House District 33. Their civility was impressive as they shook hands and avoided verbal attacks.
Ivan Posey told us about his lifetime of public service, including in the Army. As a Shoshone Business Council member for many years and as the tribal liaison for the state government, he knows government at all levels. At each Meet and Greet event he attended throughout the county during this election season, he demonstrated his willingness to listen to everyone’s concerns.
The contrast between the two candidates was clear. A member of the Freedom Caucus, Sarah Penn emphasized their priority: reducing government. It is easy to support that concept.
The reality is something different. During the 2024 Legislative session, Sarah Penn voted against important funding for the Wyoming Department of Health budget, including several bills designed to improve access and fight suicide, such as Wyoming Home Services and the Suicide and Crisis 988 Lifeline.
What is her alternative to fully funding the health department? Educating people to make healthy choices so they won’t get diabetes, cancer, or mental illness.
Ivan Posey, on the other hand, supports increased access to health care, especially for the working poor. His positions are based on compassion, not judgment.
Meanwhile Penn supported bills that would increase the cost of government. For example, Rep. Penn was the prime sponsor on HB61, which sought to identify education dollars spent on topics related to social or political activism. She opposes reproductive freedom and the right to make private health care decisions within the family and doctor’s office.
Posey does not believe the government should get involved in a conversation between a woman and her doctor. He also made it clear that in his personal life, his family has chosen life, sometimes against the advice of their medical doctor.
Penn stated, “My purpose is to uphold the Constitution, not to take from one in an attempt to provide for another.” What does this mean? Would she vote against programs providing property tax relief to families who need it the most?
No matter who is elected, government services will be reduced because of the dramatic fall in mineral revenue, which the state depends upon for most of its budget.
Rep. Penn’s right-wing ideas for reducing services are too radical. We need a reasonable person who will work to find compromises that maintain our most basic services. We need schools, roads, fire protection, and health care. We deserve compassion. We should elect Ivan Posey to HD 33.
Sincerely,
Marjane Ambler