House District 35

Representing southeast Casper

Roy Cohee

* Party: Republican

* Age: 58

* Home: Casper

* Occupation: Owns and operates a trucking company

* Education: Some college

* Family: Married; 2 children

* Political experience: Served in the Wyoming House for 10 years. Served one term as majority floor leader and currently is speaker of the House

House District 35 incumbent Roy Cohee said if the state has a monetary surplus, it should invest back into cities and towns, as well as the university and community colleges.

He also wants to enhance the state's water storage system for future years.

The state needs to be careful, he said, in making sure it's not educating too many people in one field in the community colleges.

"The most important thing is to make sure we are educating the work force for the time," he said. "If the state is short on craftsmen, things we need in the mineral-based economy, then the community colleges can provide the craftsmen needed."

At the same time, he said, colleges can encourage the type of thinking that will generate the economy Wyoming wants when the minerals are gone.

Cohee is challenged in the Aug. 19 primary by fellow Republican Beth Nachbar. No Democrats filed for the seat.

Cohee does not support a statewide smoking ban. That type of regulation, he said, is a local issue.

Regarding health care, Cohee wants the legislature to continue funding positions through the WWAMI medical program with the University of Washington.

Wyoming should also improve the Medicaid payments to Wyoming physicians, he said.

Beth Nachbar

* Party: Republican

* Age: 41

* Home: Evansville

* Occupation: Homemaker

* Education: Bachelor of science in emergency health services administration

* Family: Married; 7 children

* Political experience: None

Beth Nachbar wants constitutional protection for traditional marriage.

"I think marriage between a man and a woman is foundational for our culture, and for a strong family we need that foundation to be strong," she said. "That's what I guess motivated me to enter the race for HD 35."

Nachbar is challenging incumbent Rep. Roy Cohee in the Aug. 19 primary election.

She also he supports a zero-based budget accounting system for state funding in hopes of finding areas to cut spending.

She wants to place a moratorium on all tax increases until the zero-based account is finished and the public has had a chance to comment on the findings.

If there are extra funds, she said, some of the tax money should be returned to the citizens.

"Give families a relief from taxes," she said.

She also places an emphasis on preventive health and physical fitness. This could include giving credits on health insurance premiums to people trying to stay physically fit through exercise and diet.

On issues of land development, Nachbar fully supports exploration and development of oil and minerals in Wyoming.

"I would like to see Wyoming promoted as an energy source to the country and the world," she said.

Nachbar also supports a statewide smoking ban in public places because it's "in the best interest of people's health."