Anne Lawler

Anne Lawler, Park County’s first deputy treasurer, looks to be headed to the top spot in January to replace her longtime boss after skating to a big victory over Powell City Councilman Troy Bray.

In the unofficial results, Lawler received 72.06% of the vote to 27.68% for Bray.

Lawler finished way ahead in early and absentee balloting, receiving 76.41% of the vote (2,740) to 23.34% for Bray (837). 

“I just want to say I thank them all for their votes, and that I will continue to do what I’m already doing, that I’ve done in the past 12 years and as the first deputy working under Barb, which has been very great,” Lawler said Wednesday morning. “I’m very grateful for what I have and what she gave me. I will continue to run the office just like we do. We have a great staff. Everybody knows their job, and we will continue to cross train and continue on with our everyday tasks.”

The contest pitted Lawler, of Cody, the longtime department employee, against Bray, a Powell city councilman who has long been active in local Republican politics. Lawler was endorsed by more moderate groups and many trade organizations, while Bray won endorsement from the county GOP and other more conservative, small government groups such as Park County Patriots. 

Lawler has been first deputy the last three years in the treasurer’s office and has been in the department since 2014. Lawler worked her way through the department, eventually becoming second deputy and then, when the current first deputy retired, Lawler moved into that role. Lawler was raised in Powell since middle school and has stayed in Park County ever since.  

She has said her goal is to continue with retiring Treasurer Barb Poley’s tradition of professionalism, accuracy and fiscal responsibility. 

She has been endorsed by more moderate groups and trade groups such as realtors and teachers.

Lawler also said she was thankful Poley will still be in county government as a commissioner.

“I’m really grateful she got in as commissioner,” Lawler said. “She’ll be an outstanding commissioner for the employees, for the public, for the whole county.”

Bray has been a lightning rod of controversy over the years since moving to Powell eight years ago. He’s not been afraid to speak his mind, even though it’s led to sharp criticism at times. He drew a rebuke from the city council in May after he wrote in a Facebook comment that, “The only way Wyoming is going to have freedom is to start hanging bad judges.” 

He is also active in the Park County Republican Party and has both the party’s endorsement and that of the conservative Park County Patriots.

Bray said he would do everything he could to increase transparency if elected.