Star-Tribune Editorial Board

Republican Roy Cohee has served honorably in the Legislature for a decade, including the last two years in the demanding position of speaker of the House.

He is breaking tradition by seeking another term after serving in the top position, but he's doing so for the right reason. Cohee notes it takes five to six years to really learn the ropes, but the average legislator now serves only about four years. The House is losing its institutional memory. Cohee said after encouraging others to continue their service, he thought, "Who am I to walk away?"

Cohee doesn't have any unfinished business ("I finish what I start," he says), but he still has a keen interest in many issues, including how to spend the state's budget surplus, the state employees' retirement system, and educational funding. His impressive knowledge of state government should be put to use through at least another term in office.

It's difficult to assess the candidacy of Cohee's primary opponent, Beth Nachbar, because she chose not to meet with us. While she is not a single-issue candidate, she has said the primary reason she is running is to pass a bill that would protect traditional marriage. Since Wyoming already defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, in our view such legislation is unnecessary.