Director of Wyoming GOP Kathy Russell announces run against incumbent Rep. Nicholas

Mar. 13—CHEYENNE — It's never too late to try new things — that was Kathy Russell's perspective when she returned to graduate school in her 40s.

After spending decades as a secondary science teacher and a worker in the oil industry, Russell decided it was time to get more politically involved with her community. She served as a city council member in Douglas, is currently the executive director of the Wyoming GOP and recently announced her next big move — to fight for a seat in the Wyoming Legislature.

Russell announced Monday she will campaign against incumbent Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, for his seat in Wyoming House District 7.

"It's just been a progression of, 'I think I can do this'," Russell told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. "And I think I can do it better."

Although this is her first time running for a seat at the state level, Russell said she is no stranger to the legislative process. Several times Russell has appeared before lawmakers during committee meetings, testifying on behalf of the Wyoming GOP. She's become so familiar with legislators, Russell said, that she's come to know them on a first-name basis.

"I'm in that all the time anyway," Russell said. "So this just seems kind of a natural progression to me."

Protecting Wyoming's interests

Wyoming's economy is dependent on its oil, coal and gas industry, where this revenue funds up to 50% of the Legislature's budget. However, a push for renewable energy resources from the Biden administration, and pressure to shut down the coal industry, has threatened Wyoming's main source of livelihood.

The country has "jumped way too far ahead with so-called renewables."

"We've got to phase this, because we do have huge hurdles," Russell said. "We're gonna find ourselves hamstrung across the nation for energy if we don't do this right."

Russell is equipped with an extensive background in science. She served as an environmental consultant and regulatory affairs specialist in the Wyoming oil and gas industry for 18 years. Before that, she earned her biology degree from Chadron State College in 1973 and a graduate degree in ecology at Colorado State University.

Russell said she has a better understanding of natural resources and their components than the incumbent representative she plans to run against. There are limitations in working with wind and solar renewable energy, she said, and it is easier for coal-powered plants to provide reliable energy.

"Let's progress to a point where we can keep our supply stable and reliable, and phase it in the way you should," Russell said.

Budget priorities

Rep. Nicholas is chair of the House Appropriations Committee and served on both joint conference committees over the budget session to negotiate on a budget for the 2025-26 biennium. Russell acknowledged that Nicholas is an "asset" to the budget-making process — however, she's not shy when it comes to numbers.

"I understand how to analyze numbers," she said. "I would not hamstring the Legislature, if I were to win. I think I could be as good at looking at numbers and budget."

Her biggest priority is putting money into savings, Russell added, but it goes deeper than that. Communication with other entities, understanding where the money is being spent and knowing how much money is being put away are important aspects of the budget-making process, she said.

"There's supposed to be a flow of information back and forth," Russell said. "How was it supposed to be spent? Was it the right amount? That right there is a heavy lift."

Helping small businesses

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses were hit the hardest. Russell said several small businesses closed in Cheyenne since the pandemic. This continues to be a major concern brought to her as a leading member of the Wyoming GOP.

"We've got to help our people get back on their feet," Russell said. "That's number one, I would say, because it impacts everything else. It impacts our social and cultural health. It impacts the flow of business — it impacts everything."

State regulations can be burdensome for businesses, with little consideration of the impact, she said. Sitting in committee hearings, lawmakers often hear from the CEOS and presidents of larger corporations.

"How many times do you hear a business owner sitting there? Or a homeowner, or a parent?" Russell said. "The so-called public comment, often out of a two-hour session, you get 15 minutes for somebody from the public, if that."

If she were elected as a legislator, Russell said she'd put in every effort to actively listen to people who work on the ground and seek out expert advice when legislating bills. If there was one thing the current legislative body could improve on, she said, it's actively listening to the people of Wyoming.

This was also something she learned during her time as a Douglas city council member.

"My job as a legislator would be to understand what's being proposed in the Legislature, and to make that translation back to the people," Russell said. "Be the person who can explain it both ways, so that we can find that place that will create the best solution."

To learn more about Russell's campaign, visit her website at russellforhouse7.com.

Hannah Shields is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's state government reporter. She can be reached at 307-633-3167 or hshields@wyomingnews.com. You can follow her on X @happyfeet004.