Planks, platforms and politicians

How Republican are you?

That’s a bit of a loaded question, and it pops up every election cycle.

Some local candidates are being asked to sign a pledge to adhere to at least 80% of the planks of the Wyoming Republican Party platforms ahead of this year’s primary election.

Let’s do some math (something I’m not good at). There are 23 planks in the Wyoming Republican Party’s platforms. Eighty percent of 23 is 18.4. This would round down to 18, not up to 19, which gives candidates a little more flexibility.

Imagine a candidate who supports 21 of the 23 planks, well over the 80% threshold. But where they diverge from the platform is when it comes to gun rights and abortion. What then? Are they Republican enough at that point?

Unlike humans, not all planks are created equal. But that’s a topic for another day.

I understand where this is coming from. If you vote for a candidate, you’d like some assurances that this candidate actually stands for the core values of the political party they claim to represent.

Can you imagine voting for a Republican presidential candidate who turned out to be in favor of ramping up the national debt, handing out government bailouts to failing corporations and foreign countries, picking winners and losers and interfering in local elections?

I would feel betrayed. Now, as everyone knows, rules don’t apply to presidents. They’re allowed to do whatever they want, because they’re the president.

But when it comes to the local candidates, it’s important for us to know where they stand.

Several of the candidates said they would sign the pledge, while a few of them refused. One of those who refused, Bill Fortner, knows what it’s like to sign a political pledge.

Six years ago, Fortner and three other lawmakers signed the Republicans of Campbell County Contract, committing to 10 goals covering personal freedoms, government accountability and the economy. They promised to vote against new taxes or forced vaccines, develop a balanced budget and support voter ID, among other things.

Back then, Fortner pushed back on the idea that this was a “purity test.”

The contract did not last very long. By the time the next election cycle rolled around, the contract was all but forgotten. Its website no longer exists, but its legacy remains.

“My hope is in a couple of years we’ll have more people along these lines,” John Bear said at the time.

Like him or not, you have to give Bear credit. There are a lot more legislators along those “lines” now compared to six years ago, and they’re hoping to add more to those numbers this summer.

In 2020, the local GOP’s central committee passed a resolution supporting the contract, but it was split, with one committeeman saying the contract was “just repeating the platforms” of the Republican Party.

Fast forward six years, and we’re back here again.

What does signing a purity pledge mean? Is it virtue signaling? Maybe. Is it legally binding? Probably not. Anyone can sign a piece of paper, but that doesn’t mean they’ll follow through. If you expect politicians to tell the truth 100% of the time and stick to their campaign promises, prepare to be deeply disappointed.

This pledge likely is not an endgame, but rather the first step of something larger. So this election season, keep your eyes and ears open.

Ensure These Stories Are Told

Despite the challenges facing independent local journalism, what sustains us — and fills us with deep gratitude — is the loyal support of readers who believe our communities deserve accurate, trusted, and locally rooted news.

It is no exaggeration to say that we are here because of you. Every story we report, every local issue we follow, every public meeting we cover, and every community voice we lift up is made possible by readers who understand the value of an independent newspaper.

Your support does more than fund articles. It helps protect the independence that allows us to report honestly, ask important questions, and keep our community informed without fear or favor.

If you are able, please consider supporting the News Letter Journal by donating to our Unabridged Fund today. Whether your gift helps cover reporting time, printing costs, video, photography, editing, or distribution, every contribution helps keep local journalism strong in Wyoming.

All gifts are deeply appreciated. Your support helps ensure that local stories continue to be told, local decisions continue to be watched, and local voices continue to be heard.

Thank you for standing with independent community journalism.