CASPER — Dan Neal, a good government advocate who also worked as a Wyoming journalist for 26 years, today announced his candidacy for Wyoming’s 56th House District.
Neal, 63, said he decided to run because he is concerned that political ideology is overshadowing sound policy in the state’s legislature.
“I worry about the trend in the legislature the past few years where we’ve seen more legislators who approach the work from the ideological fringe,” Neal said. “We need legislators willing to get real and tackle issues pragmatically. We’ve seen too many indulging their personal views at the expense of Wyoming families struggling to make ends meet.”
Neal, a longtime Casper resident, and father of three said he loves the Casper community and wants to see it represented fairly in the legislature. Neal worked for more than 25 years as a journalist in Wyoming, including more than two decades as a writer and editor for the Casper Star-Tribune. He served as executive director of the Equality State Policy Center for 10 years.
“Wyoming is a friendly place where neighbors help neighbors. People respect one another. We live and let live. We hold strong beliefs,” Neal said.
Neal’s platform includes protecting education funding, raising the minimum wage, keeping public lands in public hands and fighting for equality for all Wyomingites. He’ll also push for good government and continuing the effort to improve job safety and health in the state.
“Education deserves our fullest support,” Neal said. He noted Casper’s public schools delivered an excellent education for his children, David and Kate. Casper College lies within HD56. “Now is not the time to pull back on the commitment we have made. Investment in our students is an investment in the future of Wyoming.”
Neal plans a shoe-leather campaign centered on neighborhood gatherings and walking door-to-door in the district. He seeks the Democratic Party nomination in the Aug. 16 primary.
“I want to represent the district and Natrona County in the traditional Wyoming way,” Neal said. “With hardworking pragmatism that doesn’t ignore the problems we’re facing but begins to solve them instead.”
