Wyoming Governor.  The term is four years; a person may serve no more than eight years in a 16-year period.  Salary is $105,000 annually plus benefits.  Dave Freudenthal (D) is seeking a second term; he is being challenged by Ray Hunkins (R).
 
Biographical Information:
 

Dave Freudenthal (D): Dave Freudenthal became Wyoming's 31st governor in 2003. Born in Thermopolis, he is the seventh of eight children. Freudenthal served eight years as U.S. attorney for Wyoming, after running a law practice for 16 years in Cheyenne, where he, Nancy and their four children have made their home. Freudenthal worked first as an economist and then as state planning coordinator for Gov. Ed Herschler. Freudenthal earned a law degree in 1980, following a bachelor's in economics.

Ray Hunkins (R):  A former Marine and law enforcement officer, Ray is dedicated to conservative values.  He and his family hold several degrees from UW, and Ray is past president of the UW Alumni Association.  In 2005, he was named a UW Outstanding Alumnus.  A loyal family man, Ray and Debby have three children.  Their son and his family live in Laramie.  Ray has been active in community causes his entire life.  He has practiced law in Wheatland and has often been requested to provide advice to Wyoming’s leaders.  Ray farms and ranches in Albany and Platte Counties. 
 
A high percentage of working families in Wyoming are at or near poverty level; would you advocate raising the minimum wage?  Explain.
 
Dave Freudenthal (D):   The minimum wage is a federally established figure, which the Governor has little influence over.  However, after taking office, the Wyoming Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Standard was commissioned to determine the level of wages needed to pay for basic living costs such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, and health care.  We are using the Standard as a guidepost and barometer for the types of jobs we encourage to come to Wyoming, despite what happens in Washington.
 
Ray Hunkins (R):  We need to raise wages by developing and diversifying our economy, not raising the minimum wage.  Raising the minimum wage reduces the number of starting level jobs available to our young people and part-time employees looking to supplement family income.  That is counter-productive to the best interests of families and young people.  We should focus on policies that encourage people to climb the economic ladder to higher wages through developing better skills that pay more. 
 
With the present reduction in federal highway funds for Wyoming, what do you advocate in order to maintain the quality of Wyoming roads? (75 words)
 

Dave Freudenthal (D): Our highways, like much of our infrastructure, are going to need a long-term commitment from state leaders. Wyoming saves 40 cents of every severance tax dollar – we need to use some of the rest to invest in the state’s highways before repairs turn into replacement. As I have in previous budgets, I will recommend that the Legislature put general funds to work on highway maintenance without raising the state gas tax.

Ray Hunkins (R):  I do not advocate increasing taxes as my opponent does.  Wyoming has a large surplus.  Instead of trying to fund every idea that might have a constituency, and thus encourage a vote, the governor should prioritize spending and plan to use the surplus in areas that are critical to our future.  Because Wyoming has very few means of intrastate travel, highway maintenance and construction are critical and deserve to be high on the list of priorities.