Ryan Sedgeley
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Ryan Sedgeley (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wyoming House of Representatives to represent District 23. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 16, 2022.
Sedgeley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ryan Sedgeley was born in Denver, Colorado. He earned a bachelor's degree from Colorado State University in 2015 and a graduate degree from the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming in 2021. He also earned a J.D. from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2021. Sedgeley’s career experience includes working in nonprofit development.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Wyoming House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
2022
Video for Ballotpedia
Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 18, 2022
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Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ryan Sedgeley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sedgeley's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a working class progressive democrat that lives in rural Wyoming. I have a blue collar background where I worked as a car and nuclear valve mechanic. I am also a first generation college student. I put myself through an undergraduate degree, a Master's Degree in Environment and Natural Resources, and a Juris Doctor. I love to hike, make art (paint, sculpt, and jewelry), cycle, ski, and generally enjoy our beautiful public lands.
My background offers me a unique perspective on rural living and the kind of leadership Wyoming needs.
- I am pro-democracy. I support our democracy and condemn the seditious conspiracy to overthrow our election on January 6, 2021.
- I am pro-choice. Women and people capable of getting pregnant have a right to an abortion. This is critical for individual autonomy and the integrity of our demoracy.
- Climate change is the greatest threat and challenge that we must address boldy and immediately. We need to re-electrify Wyoming with wind and solar energy.
I am passionate about many issues some of these are bison restoration, judicial reform, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, abortion rights, judicial nominations, marijuana legalization, universal healthcare, universal basic income, environmental protections, and public land management. Tribal sovereignty and reconciliation is another important area to me.
I look up to Albert Camus, Hannah Arendt, James Baldwin, Bernie Sanders, Stacy Abrams, AOC, and Dahlia Lithwick. I would like to follow the example of Bernie Sanders and Stacy Abrams. They are bold, fearless leaders with integrity and strong morals. They are community organizers and are always thinking of others, how to better their communities and serve their constituents. They are also thoughtful and kind.
The Plague, The Rebel, and Resistance, Rebellion and Death all by Albert Camus. No Equal Justice by David Cole. Eichmann in Jerusalem and The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt.
Integrity, listening to constituents and other legislators, and working for the better good of all not the few. I think being able to see how legislation and policies fit in to the bigger broader social political context is important.
I think that I am able to both passionately advocate for issues and also collaborate and work together with others to get things done. I am also good at making connections between seemingly independent areas or issues and understanding the big picture. My rural living will allow me to authentically work with rural conservatives on important issues that impact both our communities.
Being responsive to constituents. You need to listen and work to improve conditions in the district as well ensure that the state is well managed and representing the values important to your constituents.
A livable planet for our children and grandchildren.
Probably the first Iraq war. I must have been a 4th or 5th grader at the time. After that 9/11 and the subsequent wars when I was in high school.
I worked in a greeting card warehouse. I believe about three years.
The Plague by Albert Camus. It is a story that is so relevant for our time. It deals with ideas of friendship, what it means to be, and how to exist in times of crisis. More overtly it deals with the reemergence of totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and for Camus the nazis. This is something we are dealing with again right now. The first edition of the book is also a beautiful book with dappled edges, special typeset, graphics, and an embossed grim reaper on the cover.
Captain Picard from Star Trek TNG
I Can't Stand the Rain by the brilliant Missy Elliot.
I have battled with depression and anxiety most of my life. It wasn't until my 30's I moved beyond the shame and stigma and got help when I had access to a great clinic at the University of Wyoming. I was able to get on drugs that have radically transformed my life. Now I work to bring this up and de-stigmatize mental health issues so others can get the help they need sooner. Living in the rural area I live in, it can be very difficult to dang near impossible to get some of these services and is something I want to work on helping deliver to rural residents of our state.
Co-equal branches that listen and consider the needs and feedback of each other. That said, I believe the legislature is the highest authority and wields the ultimate power in a democracy.
Economic diversification, water resources, wildfires, loss of hospitals and healthcare providers, loss of state services, quality of education, far right radicalization.
I believe a unicameral legislature allows for legislation to actually get passed and is more responsive to the needs and desires of the people. I am not a fan of senates in general because in practice they end up being a regressive force that slows and stalls legislative work. It concentrates too much power in too few hands.
Not necessarily. That experience can either be good or bad depending on what experiences they had and how it informs their decisions and motivations. I think having people that have the right values, the right intent, integrity, and ability to learn and work together are most important.
Yes! Relationship building is critical to getting work done in a legislature. You have to know what others value and are thinking. Having relationships allows you to know when you might be able to collaborate together on specific issues, even between people who otherwise don't get along or see eye to eye.
The legislative process is generally a relational and collaborative exercise.
I favor an independent body that is either non-partisan or equally balanced with various parties and is generally answerable only to the courts.
Judicial; Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources; Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions; Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources.
My district contains within it Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. I hear so many stories of why people love this place. It is beautiful, there is so much to explore here and values to be shared.
I am terrible at jokes. I can do witty comments but jokes are not my thing (I wish they were).
Rarely and in only in times of true existential emergency (war, insurrection, massive outbreak of disease).
Often times yes, but not always. There are some issues where compromise is unacceptable.
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.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 7, 2022
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Chip Neiman
Majority Leader:Scott Heiner
Minority Leader:Mike Yin
Representatives
Republican Party (56)
Democratic Party (6)