Wyoming House of Representatives District 17 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Wyoming, 2022

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On the ballot:  • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • Municipal

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Wyoming House of Representatives District 17 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Wyoming House of Representatives District 17

J.T. Larson defeated incumbent Chad Banks in the general election for Wyoming House of Representatives District 17 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		J.T. Larson (R)	60.8	1,389
		Chad Banks (D)	39.2	895
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	2

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,286
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Chad Banks (D)

Supporting Small Businesses - Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and our state. We need to expand programs to help our small businesses thrive and grow. Wyoming has just under 20,000 small businesses with employees. We should look at programs that will help those businesses grow and add just 1 new job/business. Imagine what that many new jobs would do for out state.

Expanding Healthcare - Wyoming needs to expand Medicaid to help the most vulnerable in our community. Additionally we need to shore up our existing services in the state. Just recently we've seen two communities lose birth and delivery services. If we want to see Wyoming grown and hold onto our young people, we cannot do that without birth and delivery services in each county.

Representing the underrepresented - Right now we're seeing more and more attacks on some of the most vulnerable populations in our communities and state. As a member of the LGBTQ+ population, I'll continue to fight for those populations and be a strong voice across the state.

J.T. Larson (R)

I am pro second amendment and I will do everything I can to protect your rights.

Economic Development/Diversification are vital to the growth of Rock Springs and Sweetwater County.

Protecting the water rights of the people of Sweetwater County is a huge priority not only today but for the future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Chad Banks (D)

I'm passionate about:

• Supporting Small Business • Continued support for Wyoming’s legacy industries • Vibrant communities with streamlined funding sources for cities, towns, and counties • A strong tourism sector • Quality schools with teachers who feel valued • Affordable access to quality healthcare • Quality of life issues like arts & culture, access to public lands and outdoor recreation • Fostering collaboration and cooperation • Government closest to the people is the best; the State shouldn't always be mandating what's best for schools, cities, counties, etc.

J.T. Larson (R)

Economic Development/Diversification

Water Rights

Broadband Expansion

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Chad Banks (D)

There are some books that I've really enjoyed that shape or reinforce my philosophy including:

• The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels (Jon Meacham) • The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters (Tom Nichols) • Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope (Nicholas Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn) • F*cked at Birth: Recalibrating the American Dream for the 2020's (Dale Maharidge) • Nickel and Dimed (Barbara Ehrenreich)

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Chad Banks (D)

Honestly, trustworthiness and the willingness to listen are the most important principles for elected officials.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Chad Banks (D)

Representation! The person elected to this office needs to be a constant champion for our region and state in all matters. They also need to be accessible and accountable.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Chad Banks (D)

I believe the first historical event I recall was the attempted assassination of President Regan. I was in junior high shop class and the office secretary made an announcement over the school-wide intercom system that the President had been shot.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Chad Banks (D)

If memory serves me correctly, aside from working for my grandfather's business, my first job was working at Godfather's Pizza. I worked there for about six months.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Chad Banks (D)

The Governor and state legislature need to work together for the betterment of the state. While the 2 are equal branches of government, working together when possible will strengthen our state.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Chad Banks (D)

Our economy will continue to be our biggest challenge. Diversifying our economy isn't easy but must be done. Passing bills that send the wrong messages to our young citizens and those we hope will make a home here, will undermine our efforts at diversification.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Chad Banks (D)

Our state operates under a bicameral system which has many benefits. Having two chambers means proposed legislation faces more rigorous scrutiny and debate, allowing for better legislation. While it would seem that a unicameral system would allow for a simpler system, I think the bicameral system provides more benefits.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Chad Banks (D)

I often do thing past experience is beneficial but not always. It takes time to figure out how the process works and how to get things done. That time can be shortened with past experience.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Chad Banks (D)

Building relationships with other legislators is imperative. Without relationships, it's much harder to accomplish one's goals. Those relationships also allow one to argue on the merits of proposed legislation or ideas, but not make the arguments personal.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Chad Banks (D)

I favor a non-partisan commission looking at the districts and developing new plans. Too often redistricting gets politicized with maintaining the status quo.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Chad Banks (D)

n/a

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Chad Banks (D)

My current committees include The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources (TRW), The Capitol Interpretive, The Exhibits and Wayfinding Subcommittee, The Select Committee on School Facilities, and The Select Water Committee.

I've been a champion of our state's tourism efforts for decades. Much of my work also focuses on tourism so sitting on the TRW committee allows me to use my experience and passion for the betterment of the state. The same holds true for the Wayfinding subcommittee. School Facilities and Select Water are critically important to my county so my service on those 2 committees allows me to advocate for my area and the state overall.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Chad Banks (D)

Speaker Barlow was a wonderful example of a stateman during my first term. He is sharp, level-headed and reasonable. I admire his ability to work with everyone and get things done.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Chad Banks (D)

I don't have any further political aspirations at this time.

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?

Chad Banks (D)

I heard from on constituent about the need to expand Medicaid. This particular lady's husband died unexpectedly. He was the main breadwinner and his job provided the insurance benefits for both of them. When he passed away, she lost her health insurance and couldn't qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid expansion would help her, and thousands like her across the state. I also heard from LGBTQ+ folks across from across Wyoming about their experiences, both good and bad.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Chad Banks (D)

To some extent we should oversee and/or grant emergency powers. That said, since we are a part-time legislature and not always in session, this must be flexible to allow to emergency use. However, we must keep in mind that these powers are just that - emergency - and shouldn't be used or taken lightly.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Chad Banks (D)

I do believe compromise is necessary in order achieve results. Compromise often makes for better legislation and better bills. That said, there are certain things (LGBTQ+ rights, for instance) where I won't compromise.

See also

More about these elections:

• Wyoming House of Representatives elections, 2022

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