Candidates for US Senate
US Senators are elected to six-year terms and receive $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 four years.
1. What is your background, and what qualifies you for this office? (100 words)
Mike Enzi (R) Six-year term: I am a former small businessman (NZ Shoes), was a member of the Wyoming Air National Guard from 1967-1973, and served two, four-year terms as Mayor of Gillette beginning in 1975. I was elected as a Wyoming State Representative three times beginning 1987, and was elected to the Wyoming State Senate from 1991-1996. I have served Wyoming in the United States Senate for about 12 years. Wyoming needs an experienced leader. America needs somebody to bring people together. I've done that in the majority and minority. I find what people can agree on. I enjoy being the workhorse for Wyoming.
Chris Rothfuss (D) Six-year term: Wyoming is an energy state. As a chemical engineer and former diplomat, I have the technical expertise, experience and understanding necessary to make Wyoming a leader in energy policy, not just energy production. I grew up in Casper and now live with my family in Laramie. 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.
John Barrasso (R) Four-year term: As a doctor in Casper, I served patients for nearly 25 years. As medical director of the Wyoming Health Fairs, I helped bring low-cost health screening exams to folks all around Wyoming. In five years in the Wyoming State Senate, I led the fight to remove the sales tax from groceries. I was named legislator of the year by our state veterans and received an A rating from the National Rifle Association. In the U.S. Senate, I serve on committees that directly impact Wyoming’s economy, energy interests, public lands, national parks and trade.
Nick Carter (D) Four-year term: As an attorney in Gillette, WY, I have spent my entire career advocating for justice for Wyoming citizens. That work has taken me to nearly all of Wyoming’s courts—from the local Justice of the Peace to the Wyoming Supreme Court. The primary role of a defense attorney is to defend individuals while enforcing their Constitutional rights. Ultimately, what a defense attorney does is to force the government do its job. My career has been based entirely in defending the Constitution and making the government work. I will bring that experience to Washington and will fight for Wyoming citizens.
2. Would you support restricting the use of earmarked funds (pork) in Federal bills? How would you address this issue? (75 words)
Mike Enzi (R) Six-year term: I oppose earmarks parachuted in at the end of the conference committee process without going through the rigors of the true appropriations process. The Wyoming people have been clear to me in their concern over earmarks - especially last minute ones added in secrecy and only available to the conference committee members. I have sponsored legislation to stop congressional earmarks to help balance the budget.
Chris Rothfuss (D) Six -year term: I strongly support limiting earmarks through a more transparent Federal budget process. However, earmarks are just one symptom of our fundamentally corrupt federal election finance system. Contributions from Political Action Committees fuel the campaigns of most incumbents, including Senator Enzi. This support biases Congress, resulting in earmarks and other legislation that is not in the best interest of the American people. Publicly financed federal elections would eliminate this corruption and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
John Barrasso (R) Four-year term: Congress must stop the out-of-control earmark process. The system must change and the savings should be directed exclusively for the reduction of the debt. Wyoming taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent and that it is being used wisely. I co-sponsored and voted in favor of legislation that required a moratorium on congressional earmarks. Twenty-one Senators joined me in voting to eliminate earmarks.
I will continue to fight against Washington’s out of control spending.
Nick Carter (D) Four-year term: We need to restrict earmarks but that cannot be done without changing the way Washington does business. Right now, our Senators get a free pass. If they vote for a pork-laden bill they say they had to in order to save the good parts. When they vote against a good bill they say they had to do it to fight pork. We need accountability for each part separately. That will virtually eliminate earmarks overnight.
3. What can the US do to improve our image abroad and increase our effectiveness in promoting international understanding and cooperation? (75 words)
Mike Enzi (R) Six-year term: One of the best ways for others in the world to understand the people of our great nation, is for our citizens to travel to other countries and welcome international visitors into our communities. While nations governments may disagree on many issues, the people of those nations should continue to learn from each other through people-to-people exchanges. American people are our best Ambassadors of Freedom.
Chris Rothfuss (D) Six-year term: Our next President must immediately make strong and clear statements to distance us from the international policies and views of the previous administration. This should include an unconditional condemnation of torture and a declaration of support for the Geneva Conventions, an honest and genuine engagement in the global climate change dialogue as a leader rather than a reluctant participant, a return to the Powell Doctrine of international engagement, and a primary focus on diplomatic solutions.
John Barrasso (R) Four-year term: U.S. foreign policy must address a wide range of complex issues. First and foremost, we should continue to uphold the ideals of freedom and liberty. Our foreign aid resources should be focused on meeting humanitarian needs and comprehensive security strategies while requiring financial accountability. We must continue to encourage other nations to work together to achieve our shared goals of democracy, peace, and prosperity.
Nick Carter (D) Four-year term: Unilateral actions, unjustified invasions and occupations, etc. all lead to the perception of America as arrogant and hostile. Our "bring it on" politics of the past antagonizes the rest of the world and threatens our security. Even elementary school children know they must treat their neighbors with respect and dignity. Are we, as a nation, not capable of the same level of decency as a child? Remember, “Walk softly” comes before “carry a big stick.”