Otto ag producer Carlin Jones has thrown his hat in the ring as one of four candidates in the race for House District 28 to replace Rep. John Winter, bringing, he said in a release, a proven record of defending constitutional rights against government overreach.  

Jones is raising the fifth generation of family on the same farm and ranch his great-grandfather established in Big Horn County. Jones said he was compelled to run because he has seen state agencies abuse their power, enforcing their own agendas and protecting members of the bureaucracy rather than the people they are employed to serve.  

“That is not their job,” Jones said. “Their job is to ask ‘how do I serve you.'”  

In 2025, the Wyoming State Engineer’s office made a determination to limit his farm and ranch’s right to use flood irrigation water to only 1cfs per 70 acres on a rigid per field basis, which Jones said was in violation of constitutional rights, statute and policy.

Jones fought back and after more than a year reversed the decision.  

He said overreach had also occurred in 2022, when Jones faced an indictment after authorities, he said, misidentified hemp he had legally grown under a valid Wyoming state permit. When the error was brought to their attention, Jones said agencies refused to change course, so he again went to court and, after years, all charges were dismissed.

“I have been compelled to stand and fight for our rights,” Jones said. “I have shown I am a fighter that can beat the agencies who have forgotten who they serve.”  

The judge ordered “that the proceedings in such case shall be deemed not to have occurred.” He said despite the ruling, the dismissed charges are still being used to harass him and his family.  

“The importance of this election is paramount. Liberal leaning individuals are flooding into all levels of government claiming to be Republicans. Once in office, they slowly erode our rights. We must get out and vote for candidates who proudly uphold the U.S. Constitution and the  Republican Party platform on Aug. 18. We must show up to win this fight,” Jones said in the release.  

Winter has endorsed Jones, who he said in a statement “will represent District 28 in a fine fashion.” Jones will put the people of House District 28 first and remind government that its proper role is to  serve the citizens, not to rule over them.  

For more information, visit cjonesforwyoming.com.