US
Senators are elected to six-year terms and are paid $169,300 annually. They may participate in federal employee
health and life insurance systems. This year, Wyoming will elect both of its
senators, since Senator Craig Thomas died in June ’07 after his election in
Nov. ‘06. State law provides that the
governor-appointed replacement serves until the next regular General Election.
The person elected to Sen. Thomas’ unexpired term will serve 4 years, those three candidates are listed first, then the
three running for the six-year term.
1.
Biographical information. (100 words)
John Barrasso
(R) 4-year term: Senator John Barrasso is known by
many as Wyoming’s Doctor. He and his wife Bobbi have three children – Peter,
Emma and Hadley.
During 24 years as an orthopedic surgeon
in Casper, Barrasso served as president of the
Wyoming Medical Society and was named Wyoming Physician of the Year. He also
served as medical director of the Wyoming Health Fairs, bringing low-cost
health screening exams to people all around the Cowboy State.
Senator Barrasso serves on the
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Environment and Public Works
Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee.
Nick Carter (D) 4 year term: 1) Owner and Managing Partner of The Nick
Carter Law Firm 1991 to present; 2) Deputy Campbell County and Prosecuting
Attorney 1995-1998; 3) Nick has lived in Wyoming since 1970. He attended grade school
in Casper and graduated from Campbell County High School with the Class of
1982; 4) After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma State
University in 1986, Nick attended the University of Wyoming Law School, earning
his Juris Doctorate in 1990; 5) The youngest son of
the late Herb Carter, former Gillette mayor, councilman, businessman and
philanthropist.
Keith B. Goodenough
(D) 4-year term: Graduate of KWHS High School.
Graduate of U of Montana with a degree in Forestry. Peace
Corps Volunteer in Guatemala. Life-long Wyoming Democrat.
Elected 6 times in Natrona County with no donations from
PAC's and a maximum of $100.00 per person. Elected two
times to the State House, three times to the State Senate, one time
to the Casper City Council. Former lobbyist for the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Formerly endorsed on multiple occasions by the Wyoming Education
Association, the Wyoming Public Employees Association and the National Rifle
Association.
Mike
Enzi (R) 6-year term: Home is Gillette, Wyoming. Education:
Bachelors in Accounting from George Washington University in Washington,
D.C. in 1966, Masters in Retail Marketing from University of Denver, Denver,
Colorado in 1968; Occupational Background: Small business owner (NZ Shoes),
Accountant. Public Service: Wyoming Air
National Guard (1967-1973), two, four-year terms as Mayor of Gillette, Wyoming
beginning in 1975, Elected Wyoming State Representative three times beginning
1987, Wyoming State Senator (1991-1996), United States Senator for Wyoming January
7, 1997 to present. Religion: Presbyterian. Family: Married Diana (Buckley)
June 7, 1969, daughters Amy and Emily, son Brad and grandchildren Trey, Lilly,
and Megan.
Al
Hamburg (D) 6 year term: I was born in
Gering NE, live in Torrington, WY and am self educated by reading. I am divorced with 9 children. My religion is my own – religion causes these
stupid wars. I served in the US Army in
Korea, 1952; Germany, 1953-1954; Japan, 1955-1958; and Vietnam, 1967. Currently I am a house and sign painter and
writer. I ran for Governor of Wyoming in
1988 and 2006, for the US House in 1972 in 1992 and 2004, and for the US Senate
(Nebraska) in 2000 and 2002, (Wyoming), 1990. (Taken from www.votesmart.org, as requested)
Chris Rothfuss
(D)
6-year term:
I am a chemical engineer, scientist, diplomat and a teacher. I am
a graduate of NCHS in Casper. I received a PhD in Chemical Engineering
(2002) and MS in Applied Physics from the University of Washington (2002), and
a MS in Chemical Engineering (1996) and BA in International Studies (1994) from
UW. From 2003-06 I worked for the US Department
of State in Washington, DC on space and nanotechnology foreign policy issues.
In 1996 I married Heather (Hoveland) Rothfuss of Sheridan. We have 2 wonderful boys, ages
4 and 2. We reside in Laramie and teach at the University.
2. Considering
that the US Senate has recently rejected one bi-partisan bill on global warming
(the Climate Security Act, S. 2191), what do you think the US should do, if
anything, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
(75 words)
John Barrasso (R) 4-year term: In considering any climate change
proposal, three key principles guide my thinking. First, fossil fuels
such as coal will continue to play an important role in fulfilling our nation’s
energy needs. Second, a strong American economy – one that creates jobs
and new technologies – is crucial to developing the tools needed to capture and
sequester carbon. Third, we cannot afford to hurt the very regions,
industries, and workers who will provide that technology through hard work and
innovation.
Nick Carter (D) 4-year term: The first thing we need to do is invest
heavily in clean coal technology. China will be bringing nearly 500
coal-fired power plants online in the next five years. Even if we reduced
our emissions to zero immediately we still wouldn't make a dent in the global
warming issue because of China and India's expansion of pollutants. Clean
coal technology can be exported to benefits us as a state, a nation and a
planet.
Keith B. Goodenough
(D) 4-year term: The U.S. should co-operate with
all other nations, including especially China and India, to develop strategies
and tactics for slowing the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative
energies should be developed as quickly as possible. Mass transit should be
promoted. As the leading industrialized nation the U.S. must be the leader in
altering the current course of events.
Mike
Enzi (R) 6-year term: Rather
than endlessly debating global warming, we need to come together to clean up
pollution and produce the energy we need more efficiently. China and
India need to be part of any effort so we have a real impact on global
emissions. The best way is to develop innovative technologies to reduce
emissions and help our industries run more cleanly and efficiently. This
is how to make a real difference without crippling our economy.
Al
Hamburg (D) 6-year term: With Bush-Cheney types in office they will destroy the
earth before green house gas.
Chris Rothfuss
(D)
6 year term:
I support a sensible 'cap and trade' policy that establishes national
greenhouse gas emission limits and projects those limits for at least 30
years. We must also repeal the legislative barriers that prevent the
implementation of clean coal and coal liquefaction technologies.
Furthermore, we need a government-backed energy bond program to provide capital
for domestic energy development. Together, these programs will allow us
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while becoming independent from foreign oil.
3. Explain
your position on whether or not the US should allow more off-shore exploration
and drilling for oil, particularly off Florida and California, and in the Artic
National Wildlife Refuge. (75 words)
John Barrasso
(R) 4 year term: In light of the energy challenges America faces, and the
fundamental laws of supply and demand, enhanced American production is
necessary. Importantly, I believe energy efficiency and conservation are
important pieces of any energy policy, as are fossil fuels. Coal and oil
cannot be eliminated and will continue to play a key role in meeting the energy
demands of our nation. I will continue to support legislation that is
consistent with this philosophy.
Nick Carter (D) 4-year term: We should allow more offshore drilling, etc.,
if there is a practical advantage to be gained. Unfortunately, as the
situation exists today such drilling would have no impact on gas prices for
five to ten years and the best estimates suggest that the benefits would be
minimal. Until we can show that increased drilling is anything more than
a Band-Aid at best, and a distraction from real solutions at worst, we should
weigh that option carefully.
Keith B. Goodenough
(D) 4 year term: The U.S. should not immediately
develop the resources now off-limits because our national demand for
oil will continue indefinitely. We are better off to save those resources
for development in 25 or 50 years, and use imported oil in the meantime.
The high price of energy will force American ingenuity to be put to use in
creating alternative approaches to heating and travel. Our national security
demands that we hold something in reserve.
Mike
Enzi (R) 6-year term: The oil industry should reinvest
more profits into expanding production capacity and infrastructure for new
refineries and pipelines. I support developing more renewable energy. I
have cosponsored legislation that will decrease gas prices and provide more
energy to consumers. We need to allow deep sea energy exploration
and promote fuel efficient vehicles. I favor limited responsible development of
ANWR. There is great potential in clean coal and coal-to-diesel
technology. We can find more and use less.
Al
Hamburg (D) 6-year term: We would not have high gas prices if Congress would have
stopped the wasteful stupid insane war in Iraq.
Chris Rothfuss
(D)
6-year term:
Drilling in ANWR will not solve our energy problems, nor will offshore
exploration. These issues draw attention away from more viable long term
energy solutions and block legislative progress. However, I'm not
fundamentally opposed to either course of action. I could write ANWR
drilling legislation that I would support, and that I believe would pass.
It would include an up-front $100 billion remediation bond, footprint and
timeframe limitations, and other provisions.