Webber submits name for Secretary of State

On Saturday, the Wyoming Republican Party State Central Committee nominated three people to fill the vacant Secretary of State office. Among the names that were forwarded on to Governor Matt Mead are Ed Buchanan of Torrington, Darin Smith of Cheyenne and Richard George of Cody. The three will be vying to fill the spot left vacant by former Secretary of State Ed Murray who resigned after two women accused him of sexual misconduct.

There were initially eight applications for the position, including one from Nina Webber, the clerk for Hot Springs County.

Webber was appointed county clerk in March of 2014, and later elected to serve as county clerk in the election of the same year.

The Wyoming Republican Party State Central Committee, Webber said, was a room of about 60 people including representatives from each of Wyoming’s 23 counties as well as plenty of public and media in attendance. Webber and others who applied were called in, individually, in the order in which they submitted their names.

While waiting to be interviewed, Webber said it was interesting to hear from other candidates about how much they care about the state and their political philosophies.

When asked if she informed the Hot Springs County Commissioners, she said she did not. When she put her application in, she said, it was about 15 minutes before 5 p.m. the day everything was due.

Applying and interviewing for the secretary of state position, Webber noted, was a good experience she wants to learn from. She saw it as “testing the waters” and an opportunity to learn more about politics beyond what happens in the county.

As for the three candidates who are moving on in the process Webber said any of the candidates would “serve Wyoming and make us proud.”