Charles Pelkey
Charles Pelkey (Democratic Party) was a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives, representing District 45. He assumed office on January 5, 2015. He left office on January 4, 2021.
Pelkey (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Wyoming House of Representatives to represent District 45. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Pelkey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Pelkey was first elected to the chamber in 2014.
Biography
Pelkey earned his J.D. from the University of Wyoming in 2009. His professional experience includes working as a licensed attorney in Wyoming and in his district's federal courts.[1]
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Pelkey was assigned to the following committees:
- Joint Judiciary Committee
- Joint Rules and Procedure Committee
- House Judiciary Committee
- House Rules and Procedure Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Wyoming committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
| • Rules and Procedure |
| • Joint Judiciary |
| • Joint Rules and Procedure |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Pelkey served on the following committees:
| Wyoming committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Joint Judiciary |
| • Judiciary |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
Charles Pelkey did not file to run for re-election.[2]
2018
General election
General election for Wyoming House of Representatives District 45
Incumbent Charles Pelkey defeated Roxie Jackson Hensley in the general election for Wyoming House of Representatives District 45 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Charles Pelkey (D)  | 60.0 | 1,784 |
| Roxie Jackson Hensley (R) | 39.8 | 1,185 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 6 | ||
| Total votes: 2,975 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wyoming House of Representatives District 45
Incumbent Charles Pelkey advanced from the Democratic primary for Wyoming House of Representatives District 45 on August 21, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Charles Pelkey | 100.0 | 512 |
| Total votes: 512 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wyoming House of Representatives District 45
Roxie Jackson Hensley advanced from the Republican primary for Wyoming House of Representatives District 45 on August 21, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Roxie Jackson Hensley | 100.0 | 649 | |
| Total votes: 649 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Wyoming House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 16, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 27, 2016.
Incumbent Charles Pelkey defeated Tom Schmit in the Wyoming House of Representatives District 45 general election.[3]
| Wyoming House of Representatives, District 45 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Charles Pelkey Incumbent |
52.29% | 1,894 | |
| Republican | Tom Schmit | 47.71% | 1,728 | |
| Total Votes | 3,622 | |||
| Source: Wyoming Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Charles Pelkey ran unopposed in the Wyoming House of Representatives District 45 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| Wyoming House of Representatives, District 45 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Charles Pelkey Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Tom Schmit ran unopposed in the Wyoming House of Representatives District 45 Republican primary.[4][5]
| Wyoming House of Representatives, District 45 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Tom Schmit (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Wyoming House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 19, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 30, 2014. Charles Pelkey ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Charles Young was unopposed in the Republican primary. Pelkey defeated Young in the general election.[6][7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Pelkey |
53% | 1,115 | |
| Republican | Charles Young | 47% | 989 | |
| Total Votes | 2,104 | |||
| Source: Wyoming Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Charles Pelkey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pelkey's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Protecting our state's investment in public education Criminal Justice Reform Keeping public lands in public hands
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I have worked tirelessly to advance efforts in criminal justice reform, offering alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders and minor parole and probation violations. All of the state's prisons are at or beyond capacity and the cost of building new prisons far exceeds the cost of reasonable alternatives. A few years ago, the legislature cut in-prison substance abuse treatment, saving a relatively small amount. In turn, the state saw an almost-immediate increase in recidivism, increasing cost well beyond what was saved. Seemingly small programs have a big impact on incarceration rates. We need alternatives in order save money, increase the opportunities for reform and to serve the interests of justice and public safety.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Teddy Roosevelt's advocacy for public lands has always served as an inspiration. Franklin Roosevelt's commitment to helping the poor and providing a basic social safety net are policies that I have always supported.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"The Art of Happiness," by the Dali Lama. Fundamentally, the book underscores one theme common to all religions and that is that we treat one another with respect and do our best to understand the struggles of the people around us.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
An understanding of the daily struggles faced by citizens in your district, the state and the country. Public service needs to be just that, a desire to serve the public and not special interests and corporations.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Empathy.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
A willingness to listen to all sides and find common ground when trying to address the needs of the people of Wyoming.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That I tried my best and that I was honest.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The assassination of JFK. I was five.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I was 10-years-old when I got a job at a nearby service station. Originally, I earned 50 cents a day. I kept that job until I was sixteen, even though I moved 15 miles away. I would ride my bike to and from the job. I've been working ever since.
What happened on your most awkward date?
My then-girlfriend visited for New Year's eve. It seemed awkward and uncomfortable, so I asked what was troubling her. She finally asked "what would say if I told you I wanted to have a baby?" I stuttered and couldn't respond, but said that I was only 21, with no degree, no immediate prospects ... and she interrupted me and said "No, no, no, I didn't mean YOURS." The evening sort of went downhill from there.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving. I like sharing a day with family and friends.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Joseph Conrad's "The Duel," because it shows how an honorable man can continue to maintain his dignity in the face of inexplicable hostility.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Nerdy as it sounds, Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings. I read the trilogy when I was 11 and always thought highly of that character.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My bicycles. Competitive cycling gave me a certain discipline that opened doors for me in so many areas. In my prime, I would ride up to 11,000 miles a year. The sport opened doors for me professionally and personally. My life would not be the same without that experience.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
I really do not suffer from that malady.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Balancing my personal and professional life.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The House has been strongly in favor of protecting our investment in education. The Senate not so much
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I think it's helpful to know the ropes and to build relationships. That said, people can, indeed, serve for too long. I am running for my third term. I may consider a fourth. After that, I am not certain.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Declining mineral revenues and very few alternative tax sources. We need to address that and increase transparency when it comes to our fiscal picture. Wyoming has dozens of accounts that don't feed into the general fund and are held in reserve for projects that will never be initiated. We need a simpler fiscal picture so that the people of Wyoming know exactly what resources the state has at its disposal.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
Respectful and cooperative. We have common goals so we can find common ground.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
It's the only way anyone will ever get anything done. I am one of nine Democrats in 60-member House. The ONLY way I've managed to get major legislation through is to build relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I would prefer to see an independent panel, composed equally of representatives from both parties, draw district lines and submit them to the Legislature for an up or down vote.
If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?
I am a member of the Judiciary Committee. I enjoy that role because I can have an impact on criminal justice reform, domestic violence laws and sentencing alternatives in this state
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I am currently the Minority Whip of the House.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Alan Simpson. While he and I do not agree on all issues, he saw the importance of working with members of the other party to achieve important goals. He didn't always get everything he wanted, but bipartisan efforts move good ideas much faster than when politicians take intractable and uncompromising positions.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I doubt that I can. I am 60, a Democrat in a very red state and I think it might be a Quixotic effort on my part.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I have heard from several people forced into bankruptcy because of medical debt. I find that heartbreaking and it has driven me to work for Medicaid expansion and other ways to provide services to the currently uninsured.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2016
Pelkey's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Education Reform: We need to stop “teaching to the test” in our public schools. Education bureaucrats in this state have muddled testing to the point that “PAWS” test results do little to provide quantifiable information regarding our children’s progress in key subject areas. Testing serves a purpose, but it should not be the primary focus of educators. Diversifying Wyoming’s Economy: We also must continue supporting state investment in basic infrastructure, including transportation and communications technologies,that keep pace with developments in the rest of the country and the world. We have the opportunity to protect this state’s future, but only if we think in terms of the long-run. Increasing Minimum Wage: Our fellow citizens are losing ground each year, even though they show up and put in a full day’s work. At the very least, we need to establish a minimum wage that keeps pace with the rate of inflation. If the Federal government refuses to do that, then we need our Legislature to stand up and say that we value the daily contributions of our fellow citizens and their work deserves at least a living wage. The Wage Gap: As an attorney, I was pleased to see that more than 50% of my graduating class from the University of Wyoming College of Law was made up of talented, motivated and capable women. That is a far cry from the 1950s and ’60s when women were a rarity in law schools across the country. We now need to focus on efforts to make that same change true in those critical STEM subjects. We all suffer when we don’t open the doors of opportunity to all of our citizens. The Right to Choose: Whether or not to have a child is the most fundamentally private decision a women can make in her lifetime. It is a decision over which she should hold exclusive power.[8] |
” |
| —Charles Pelkey[9] | ||
2014
Pelkey submitted the following statement to Ballotpedia regarding his political philosophy:[1]
| “ |
I am running to represent my district as effectively as possible and to restore an element of common sense to our State Legislature. My major issues include Education Reform, Diversification of our state's economy, working to ensure health coverage for all of Wyoming's citizens and to address the embarrassingly [sic] wage gap between men and women in Wyoming. [8] |
” |
| —Charles Pelkey, Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on August 11, 2014 | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Wyoming scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, the Wyoming State Legislature was in session from February 10 to March 12.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2019, the Wyoming State Legislature was in session from January 8 through February 28.
|
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2018, the Wyoming State Legislature was in session from February 12 to March 15.
|
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2017, the Wyoming State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 3.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the Wyoming State Legislature was in session from February 8 through March 4.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Wyoming State Legislature was in session from January 13 to March 12.
|
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Charles + Pelkey + Wyoming + House"
- All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.
See also
- Wyoming State Legislature
- Wyoming House of Representatives
- Wyoming House Committees
- Wyoming state legislative districts
External links
- Official campaign website
- Charles Pelkey on Facebook
- Charles Pelkey on LinkedIn
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Profile from Open States
- Wyoming State Legislature
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on August 11, 2014
- ↑ Laramie Boomerang, "Laramie activist announces House bid," April 21, 2020
- ↑ Wyoming Secretary of State, "2016 Official General Election Results," accessed November 29, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wyoming Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate Roster," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wyoming Secretary of State, "2016 Official Primary Election Results," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Wyoming Secretary of State, "2014 Primary Candidate Roster," accessed May 31, 2014
- ↑ Wyoming Secretary of State, "2014 Official General Election Results," accessed November 12, 2014
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Pelkey for House, "Issues," accessed October 3, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Matt Greene (R) |
Wyoming House of Representatives District 45 2015-2021 |
Succeeded by Karlee Provenza (D) |
