Wyoming governor hopeful pledges to draw on business experience
Republican donor Foster Friess told FOX Business he will draw on his experience as a business leader to solve Wyoming’s economic problems if elected governor.
“I don’t believe government is in the business of creating businesses and jobs, but as governor I hope I can support my fellow citizens who are trying to do that the best way I can,” Friess said during an interview on Monday with Charles Payne on FOX Business.
The legendary investor announced his gubernatorial bid on Friday outside a Republican delegate luncheon.
Friess told Payne that government should create a backdrop that entices businesses and jobs. Wyoming’s economic climate is ranked 49th, according to Forbes.
“Wyoming has a very, very beautiful open space and lifestyle, and that’s why Wyoming is so attractive, why businesses might want to locate there,” Friess said.
The founder and former CEO of Friess Associates, an investment management firm with $15 billion in managed assets, said he opposes handing out tax breaks to businesses that will compete against companies from Wyoming.
“Wyoming companies should be first in line for any incentives in order for them to grow first,” Friess said.
Friess added that he would like to harness the spirit of Wyoming, leading the nation in a return to civility.
“Wyoming is what America could be, so part of my role will be serving the people of Wyoming,” he said. “But in the process, hopefully there’ll be some overflow that can make that happen around the country.”
Friess isn’t the only candidate that is proposing solutions to Wyoming’s woes.
Republican Dr. Taylor Haynes declared his candidacy for Governor of the state in February and describes himself as a “constitutionalist and a conservative”. In a statement to FOX Business, his campaign laid out some specifics on his platform:
He advocates state sovereignty, including taking control of federally managed state lands and benefiting from millions of dollars in mineral wealth now going to the federal government. “What I want for the people of Wyoming,” said Haynes, “is for us to manage Wyoming lands and keep 100% of the mineral royalties. If this had been done in the last biennial budget period, we would have an extra $2.64 billion in our state budget today.”
Haynes is the first gubernatorial candidate to pledge that, as Governor, he will not approve any form of new taxes during his term. “Wyoming doesn’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. We cannot continue this path of near-sighted spending.”
Other candidates including Mary Throne and Sam Galeotos also shared the following statements with FOX Business via their spokespeople.
“Wyoming needs a leader, who knows our state from corner to corner, not a flyover megadonor with an extreme agenda contrary to Wyoming values. I have spent my professional life working with Wyoming’s energy industry and my public life working to make life better for Wyoming people” - Mary Throne (via spokesman Matt Herdman)
Sam Galeotos (via his spokeswoman Amy Edmonds):
“I welcome Foster to the race and look forward to continuing to share my vision for expanding our economy, growing jobs and educating our kids for the global economy. As a Wyoming native I care deeply about my fellow citizens and understand their needs. I am proud of the work I have done to help Wyoming’s children and families succeed in my local community. And as a successful leader of both national and global technology businesses, I am confident Wyoming voters will see I am the right person for the job based on my background, my proven track record of success and my conservative plans for our state.” Sam Galeotos, Republican gubernatorial candidate for governor
**The original article was updated on 4-26-18 with statements from three other contenders vying for the Governor's Office of Wyoming.