Michele Irwin
Michele Irwin was a 2016 Democratic candidate for District 18 of the Wyoming House of Representatives. She ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 2014.
Campaign themes
2014
Irwin's website highlighted the following campaign themes:
| “ | Natural Resources:
The geographic area that makes up House District 18 includes public lands rich in natural resources. We have a wealth of energy reserves, including coal, oil and gas, and wind. We also have other valuable resources like trona. Water is also an important resource. These resources provide us with the money to run our state. They provide us with valuable jobs. They provide needed energy and resources to the global economy. Recent EPA rules regarding emissions will limit pollution and take a step towards reducing human caused impacts to climate change. These changes can lead to increased efficiency as well. We may not always like the way that environmental regulations are handed down, but we can work to ensure that Wyoming's environmental and economic future is secure, by being proactive and working with our industries to succeed. But our public lands are also valuable to us in terms of recreational opportunities. We use them to enjoy the outdoors in a number of ways. That we do not have to ask permission to utilize these lands is one of our greatest freedoms. These lands are also home to diverse and abundant wildlife. We enjoy hunting, viewing, and just knowing they are there. We want to ensure that development of our natural resources is done the right way. The best way to ensure state control of our wildlife is to keep them off the Endangered Species list. Our water is another precious natural resource. The Colorado River compact should be re-evaluated. Since it was formalized in 1922, much has changed, including our understanding of the river ecosystem. Since then, the west's population has boomed, with increasing demands on this life giving resource. Other states have been using more than their share of the water, while Wyoming has not fully utilized it's share. We need to fight passionately any encroachments on our water, such as the proposal made by Aaron Million. We can have strong environmental rules and still develop our natural resources. We can have "Growth on our terms," as former Gov Ed said. We do not want to sacrifice air quality, wildlife, land access, or our water for short term benefits.
Money: Everyone needs more money - The Game & Fish Department, WYDOT, schools, cities and towns. The loss in revenues from sales taxes during the recession, the increased costs of doing everything, declining revenues projected . . . . I learned some valuable lessons when I was laid off and our household suddenly went to one income. Necessity is the mother of invention, and creative thinking and re-evaluating where and how we spent money made a big difference in our budget. While we should continue to look for more ways to increase revenues - like diversifying the economy - we can also do a better job at being more efficient. Brainstorming is an often underutilized tool. Getting more people involved in the process will generate more ideas. Our number one economic income comes from the extractive industries. Number two is from wildlife - hunting, fishing and tourism. This is something no other state can claim, and is a renewable resource. What they both have in common is our public lands. Wildlife and lands must remain in public hands. Supporting the government agencies tasked with managing these natural resources is good business for Wyoming, and ensures our quality of life.
Education: I support life long learning opportunities for all citizens. For children, I support school choice, as well as general standards to ensure future readiness to be productive and contributing citizens. Our future depends on students being well educated, but they should also be encouraged to think creatively and to challenge the way things have always been done. Our education system needs the flexibility to encourage both vocational and home paths, as well as college prep. For adults, continued education and enrichment is necessary as well. When I worked as the Adult Resources Counselor/Community Resource Specialist for WWCC, I visited local industries, as well as community organizations, and also assisted students one on one to design a schedule that would work for them. I was able to complete my master's at UW through outreach courses. Since then, the availability of internet courses has made continued education even easier to achieve. The role government can take is to ensure that quality programs are made available, and that those who would scam residents are not allowed.
Health Care: While many Wyoming citizens have health insurance provided through their employer or spouse, there are still a number of people in our state who are uninsured. When they are treated in our health care system, those costs are borne by all of us. If the state of Wyoming does not want to expand Medicare coverage from the federal government (which would save us money), we should be proactive with a plan on our own to ensure that all residents have access to adequate health care. There are also issues of personal freedom involving health care. Often, natural cures are overlooked or outright against the law. We need to reevaluate our health care system, and focus on patients rather than profits.
Infrastructure: I support ensuring that we have not only basic infrastructure, but quality and affordable as well. This includes roads, affordable and fast internet service, quality and affordable cell phone service, as well as affordable, quality day care, decent wages and benefits, and safe work environments. It includes clean air, healthy environments, services such as libraries and museum. Quality of life issues for citizens are also the groundwork for a healthy economy. We need an affordable cost of living in order to grow our economy.
Guns: We in Wyoming take our right to keep and bear arms very seriously. Many of us grew up around guns and are quite responsible with their use. However, there are those who do not have the same respect, or understand that with rights comes the burden of responsibility. I would encourage the teaching of gun safety and ethics in a variety of forums. The rural schools I attended in Idaho as a kid had gun safety as part of our education. The Wyoming Game and Fish includes a segment on gun safety in their Hunter Education courses. So far we have been lucky to have not had a mass school shooting in Wyoming, but we do have too many people fall victim to gun violence. Taking guns away from responsible citizens is not the answer. An open discussion and ideas from all citizens should be encouraged. [1][2] |
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Elections
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 Fred Baldwin (R) did not seek re-election. A special election was held on August 31st to determine the Republican primary winner. Some voters were given the wrong ballot in one precinct and a special election was held in the precinct to determine the winner.[3]
Thomas Crank defeated Michele Irwin in the Wyoming House of Representatives District 18 general election.[4]
| Wyoming House of Representatives, District 18 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Thomas Crank |
80.34% | 3,595 | |
| Democratic | Michele Irwin | 19.66% | 880 | |
| Total Votes | 4,475 | |||
| Source: Wyoming Secretary of State | ||||
Michele Irwin ran unopposed in the Wyoming House of Representatives District 18 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Wyoming House of Representatives, District 18 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Michele Irwin (unopposed) | |
Thomas Crank defeated Kevin Simpson, Lyle Williams, Scott Heiner and Zem Hopkins defeated in the Wyoming House of Representatives District 18 Republican primary.[5][6]
| Wyoming House of Representatives, District 18 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Thomas Crank |
32.04% | 471 | |
| Republican | Kevin Simpson | 9.12% | 134 | |
| Republican | Lyle Williams | 17.89% | 263 | |
| Republican | Scott Heiner | 30.14% | 443 | |
| Republican | Zem Hopkins | 10.82% | 159 | |
| Total Votes | 1,470 | |||
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. Michele Irwin ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Fred Baldwin defeated Lyle Williams in the Republican primary. Baldwin defeated Irwin in the general election.[7][8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Fred Baldwin |
76.2% | 2,297 | |
| Democratic | Michele Irwin | 23.8% | 719 | |
| Total Votes | 3,016 | |||
| Source: Wyoming Secretary of State | ||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Fred Baldwin |
70.2% | 1,077 |
| Lyle Williams | 29.8% | 457 |
| Total Votes | 1,534 | |
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Michele + Irwin + 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 state legislative districts
- Wyoming House of Representatives
- Wyoming House of Representatives elections, 2014
- Wyoming House of Representatives elections, 2016
External links
- Official campaign website
- Michele Irwin on Facebook
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Wyoming State Legislature
Footnotes
- ↑ Committee to Elect Michele Irwin, "Issues," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Wyoming Canvassing Board sets special election in HD 18," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Wyoming Secretary of State, "2016 Official General Election Results," accessed November 29, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wyoming Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate Roster," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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
