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Albert Sommers media release House District 20 – Why I’m Running Hello citizens of Sublette County and House District 20, After serving 12 years in the Wyoming House, I stepped away in 2024 to run for the Senate because I believed I still had more to give in public service. That race didn’t go my way, and I respected the outcome. But over the past two years, after closely watching the direction of the Wyoming House—and hearing from many of you encouraging me to return—I’ve come to believe that House District 20 once again needs experienced, common-sense conservative leadership that will stand up for our people, our industries, and our natural resources. I followed this past legislative session closely and spent time at the Capitol. What I saw raised serious concerns. Despite entering the session with a budget surplus, the Freedom Caucus-controlled House Appropriations Committee made decisions that cut food assistance for vulnerable children, reduced business opportunities, slashed funding to the University of Wyoming, eliminated resources for cheatgrass control, denied raises for state employees, and removed positions critical to protecting Wyoming’s water rights. At the same time, controversies like "Checkgate" undermined public trust, and decorum in the House deteriorated. Efforts to defund important local institutions like the Pinedale Aquatic Center, Big Piney Recreation Center, and Sublette BOCES through unnecessary elections only added to the concern. Leadership matters. Right now, the Wyoming House is too often focused on division instead of solutions. We need steady, effective leadership that solves problems—not rhetoric and political theater. That’s why I’m running for House District 20. During my 12 years in the Wyoming House (2013–2024), I focused on delivering real results for our communities. I helped create the Wyoming Colorado River Advisory Committee to ensure our water users have a voice in critical decisions affecting the Green River Valley. I worked to establish funding for rural hospitals, including support that benefited Sublette County Hospital. As Speaker of the House, I prioritized responsible property tax relief. On the Appropriations Committee, I helped cut spending during downturns, save for the future, and invest wisely when revenues were strong. I am a common-sense conservative who believes in getting things done. I support our core industries—oil and gas, ranching, and tourism—and I will continue to fight for the people and natural resources of Sublette County and LaBarge. I am pro-gun, pro-life, pro-family, and pro-education. I also take seriously my oath to uphold the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions, which means I didn’t support bills that violated those constitutions. I read bills carefully and I voted accordingly. Transparency and accessibility will remain central to how I serve. As I’ve done before, I will provide regular updates on legislation, seek your input, and clearly explain my votes. I will continue attending local meetings and staying engaged with our communities. I believe the best government is the one closest to the people. Local control isn’t just a principle—it’s how we ensure decisions reflect the needs of our communities. I will always stand for that. I look forward to earning your support and seeing you on the campaign trail. For more information, visit VoteforAlbert.com. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at albert@albertsommers.com with any questions or ideas. Respectfully, Albert Sommers
Sublette County, WY — Lieutenant Travis Bingham officially announced his candidacy for Sublette County Sheriff in the 2026 election. Bingham steps forward with strong community ties, a broad foundation of law enforcement experience, and the full endorsement of Sheriff Lehr. A lifelong resident of Sublette County, Bingham will bring 20 years of Wyoming law enforcement experience to the ballot in 2026. He is certified in Detention, Communications, and as a Peace Officer, having served in nearly every operational division of the Sheriff’s Office throughout his career. In addition to his leadership role as a lieutenant, Bingham has served as the department’s Public Information Officer (PIO) for several years—acting as the agency’s voice during wildfires, major investigations, weather events, search and rescue efforts, and high-profile emergencies. His dedication to transparent, timely communication has built lasting trust with the public and media alike. He also founded and leads the Sublette County drone program, which has become an essential asset for search operations, crash reconstruction, and crime scene documentation. "Over the last 20 years, I have gained the skills, and my experience reflects the full scope of what it takes to lead this agency, including patrol, detention, communications, emergency response, and public trust," Bingham said. "Sublette County is my home, and I am committed to leading with integrity, professionalism, and a deep respect for the people we serve." Current Sheriff KC Lehr is not seeking re-election after a decade of dedicated leadership. "I’m honored to have his support as I take this next step," Sheriff Lehr has led this office through a time of growth and modernization with steady, thoughtful leadership," Bingham said. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked closely with him and honored to have his support as I take this next step." In endorsing Bingham, Sheriff KC Lehr stated: "I and many other Sheriff’s Office employees have had the opportunity to work with and watch current Lieutenant Travis Bingham advance himself and this Office. Throughout his career, Travis has taken on many additional roles; from public information officer, IT tech, and jail administrator. He has proven himself by working for multiple divisions within the Office. This experience, his leadership, and vision for the future are the reasons that allow me to place complete trust in his abilities. I would ask that you help me support Travis Bingham in his future endeavors to become the next Sheriff of Sublette County." Lieutenant. Bingham’s website and social media platforms have updates, platform priorities, and opportunities to engage. For more information: Website: www.binghamforsheriff.com Facebook: @binghamforsheriff Instagram: @bingham4sheriff Email: travis@binghamforsheriff.com Lt. Bingham will have a Meet & Greet on Friday, April 17, from 5-7PM at the Marbleton Town Hall.
March 2, 1929 – April 7, 2026 An amazing and special lady left her most loved family, her dear friends and beloved ranch on April 7, 2026. Patricia McGinnis Campbell was born March 2, 1929 in Provo, Utah to Joe and Eunice McGinnis. She grew up on Lake Street in Salt Lake City with her brother Bill, sister JoAnn and her lifelong best friend, Betty Jean Cowley. Her father, Joe McGinnis, was the grandson of William John McGinnis who came from Nebraska in 1880 and began to settle and ranch in the area known then as Midway, Wyoming. There were originally five of the children of this family, many more grandchildren who stayed and continued to developed a large portion of the area from LaBarge to Big Piney into ranching. Joe rode for the cattle association of the ranches in his young years. Once he was married, he moved to Salt Lake City. As a teenager Pat spent the summers on part of the McGinnis ranch with her Uncle Anderson and Aunt Delia. She remembered these times with great fondness, experiencing the hardships of ranching for the first time. Pat was proud of her heritage and the ranches her ancestors started. Many of them still in business today. Pat graduated from the University of Utah with high honors and a degree in English and Library Science. While she was going to the University of Utah, she began to come to the V-V Guest Ranch in Bondurant to work as cabin girl in the summers. She loved to tell the about two handsome men, coming in the kitchen of the lodge to grab lunches for their hunters. It was early morning the first time she saw them. Harve Stone spoke to her. The other one, Walden Campbell, stood back and didn’t say anything, but she saw a look in his eye. He was the one she decided to pursue and they dated for the next 3 summers. After she graduated from the University of Utah, she applied to Radcliff College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the sister school to Harvard. She was accepted. This was something she was proud of her whole life. She was enrolled to begin her studies in January of 1953. She came to visit Walden on December 2, to tell him good bye. He said he knew if she went back east, he would lose her. He asked her to marry him and they were married the next day December 3, 1952 in Jackson, Wyoming. Years later all she had to show Katherine was the letter saying simply "You have been accepted to Radcliff College." She also admitted she was happy she made the choice to get married saying it was meant to be. Walden owned a ranch with his father in Bondurant. After he and Pat were married, they bought another ranch to add to the land they already had. There was no electricity but a light plant when they first moved to the ranch. It was a rugged way of life in those days. They ranched together, Pat always doing her part and Walden his. There were lots of "tough times" and times when she said she kept telling herself we must endure until it gets better. As she aged, she looked back at the hard times as glue that drew her family together and gave purpose to their life. Their first son, Kevin, was born in 1954, followed by Katherine, Colleen and Lennie. Walden died in 1979 leaving behind a young family, a young widow, and the ranch they all loved. Pat stepped up to the plate in every way. She took a deep interest in the success of the ranch until the day of her death. She never wanted it to be sold or divided in anyway. She also did the books until the day she died. She was so proud of how her "boys" kept the place running. She never accepted the fact she contributed so much, as their partner. The ranch became the soul and world of her family, with her home the center of that world. She was so proud that her grandson, Walden, chose to carry on the ranching tradition so passionately. Her last words to him, "keep the fires burning." She put on the greatest dinners in the area when there was any occasion, holiday, branding, haying. She never wanted anyone slighted. She was famous for her homemade rolls. She was proud when her granddaughter, Anna, learned to make them and told her to call them Anna’s rolls, not Grandma’s. Pat started up the library in Bondurant in the early 1960’s so that people would have access to books. She instigated the county roads being plowed all winter, in 1967, when she was pregnant with Lennie because she said she was not going to move into town to wait for him to be born like she had to her other winter babies. After that the county maintained the roads in Bondurant, all winter. Later in life, she took a job at the Jackson Hole Pendleton Shop, a high-end clothing store. She loved beautiful quality merchandise and enjoyed selling people clothing they looked sharp in. One of her friends told her recently before he knew her name, he referred to her as "the Classy Pendleton Lady." Granddaughter, Jenni, thanking her for teaching her how to dress classy. And her granddaughter-in law, Josephine, told her she wanted to have the kind of class she did. These comments made her day. She had an appreciation of quality in all things around her house and would rather go without than have what she called "junk." The Green River Cattleman Association and Cattlewomen awarded her with the Lifetime Member Award and also Ranch Women of the Year Award. She was an integral part of the ranch receiving the Centennial Ranch Award. She served on the Board of Directors of the Wyoming LaBarge Oil Company for 27 years. Her McGinnis family had created this company many years ago and it is still active today. She traveled abroad on two different trips seeing England, France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, and Wales. She was enriched by these adventures. She loved the beauty around her. She loved the Hoback Canyon and told Katherine she fell in love with that canyon the first time she came through it. At that time the road was on the other side of the Hoback River. She loved the wildflowers, the autumn leaves, the wildlife, the song birds who flew in front of the kitchen window, the warmth from the kitchen wood stove she baked her most delicious food in. The bond she created with her children and grandchildren of unconditional love was a gift that each of them will always have in their heart. She lived to see two great grandchildren, Daviel and Josiah (Joe, to her, after her father). She left behind for her family an example of how to love and how to live with integrity, honesty, forgiveness and acceptance. She will be missed by many friends as well as her 4 children - Kevin, Katherine, Colleen, Lennie; Grandchildren - Heidi, Walden, (Josephine), Anna, (Yancy), Jenni; and greatgrandchildren - Daviel and Little Joe. Related Links: Obituary – Patricia McGinnis Campbell, March 2, 1929 – April 7, 2026 Covill Funeral Home, Pinedale, Wyoming Ask Flora–Spring 2026 (posted 4/12/2026)
Pinedale Community Food Basket Pinedale, WY – Local teachers spend between $50 and $150 of their own money annually to ensure students don’t go hungry in class. Recognizing that well-nourished students behave better and learn faster, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation has awarded a $2,000 grant to the Pinedale Community Food Basket to continue the Wrangle Hunger Snack Club through the 2026-27 school year. Since its launch in 2024, the Wrangle Hunger Snack Club has been a vital resource for low-income families in Sublette County School Districts #1 and #9, including local homeschoolers. To date, dedicated volunteers have assembled and distributed 557 nutritious snack bags during monthly food distributions. "By simply meeting this basic need, we reduce disruptions, increase productivity, and support a more positive and focused classroom atmosphere," says Pinedale Elementary teacher Michayla Blatnick. The Pinedale Community Food Basket, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves families at or below 185% of the USDA poverty level. Beyond snacks, the organization provides supplemental food assistance, emergency funds, and household essentials, while connecting neighbors to critical community resources. For families already struggling, a daily snack is a small item that represents a large financial hurdle. This grant ensures that students can keep their focus on their desks rather than their stomachs. The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation is part of the PacifiCorp Foundation, one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created by PacifiCorp, an energy company that serves over 2 million customers across a diverse six-state region as Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho) and Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington and California). The foundation’s mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power. Since it started in 1988, the foundation has awarded more than $60 million to nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.rockymountainpower.net/foundation
Join Kickin’ Cancer in Sublette County for their Annual Fundraiser April 18th at the Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Center in Marbleton Wyoming. This year is casino themed. Every chip and raffle ticket purchased goes directly to helping our neighbors in Sublette County (and La Barge) in their ongoing fight against cancer. The evening will include dinner, a cash bar, black jack, craps, and roulette tables for a chance to win exciting local raffle packages, and silent auction with items donated from generous locals. Tickets are limited to this event and can be purchased online at kickincancer.org. Tickets are $40 online/$50 at door. If you or your business would like to donate anything to our online or in-person silent auction please reach out: kickincancersc@wyoming.com, 307-360-0113 We could not do what we do without the wonderful support of our community. For over 20 years Sublette County has been showing up for Kickin’ Cancer and supporting those in their fight against cancer. Let’s keep the tradition alive and make this another successful year raising funds to Kick Cancer! Please join us April 18th, 5pm-10pm Southwest Sublette County Senior Center Marbleton, Wyoming |
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