Cody Rep. Nina Webber spoke of her record through her first term in the state Legislature, while challenger Quin Blair of Cody spoke of being the best candidate to represent the Cody voters in the next legislative session. 

The two spoke along with a host of other county and legislative candidates at a Wednesday forum at The Commons put on by the Park County Republican Women. 

The candidates agreed on a number of issues, such as being pro Second Amendment, but shared different focuses. For instance, Blair talked about the importance of representation and open lands, while Webber called herself a “platform conservative” and noted her pro-life stance. 

Introduction

Blair, born and raised in Cody, said “Wyoming is worth fighting for.”

“We take pride in who we are, and we look to the future with hope for who we can become,” he said. “We value community, we take pride in the land, and we’re not afraid of hard work. If I’m elected to represent House District 24 I promise to put these values at the forefront of everything that I do. That means listening to constituents, thinking critically about the issues, and working hard for a better Wyoming.”

He said while change is hard, it can also be for the best if done right. 

Webber, who is in the midst of her first term in the state House representing House District 24, which covers Cody and rural areas mainly to the west, said her goal is to keep Park County conservative.

“I’m a Christian, I’m a mother, I’m even a grandmother. These are good reasons to protect our future and go forward,” she said. “We have a lot to gain in Wyoming, and we’re gaining, and we’re winning, and we’re winning because of you. We want to keep these opportunities here in Wyoming, here in Park County, and available for us.”

On representation

On the question of how he would represent his constituents, Blair said representation is the reason he’s running, and noted his expensive public service in the community. 

“What’s important is showing up and doing the work,” he said, adding, “I don’t understand how it’s possible to represent with your ears closed, and I do not plan to do so. I want to hear from you, and I promise to respond to you, and to take all of your input and information, and use it for the good of Wyoming.”

Webber said she appreciates the many emails she’s gotten in her time in office, and noted the many groups that sent out information in support of certain issues, such as property taxes and gun rights. 

“I think Park County is very engaged and very energetic when it comes to responding to legislation that’s important to you, and I appreciate all of it,” she said, “and my voting record stands strong. I’m conservative, that’s how I’ve been voting, that’s how I will continue to vote.”

Top three party planks

Webber singled out the planks for pro life, getting government out of the way of the market, and being pro Second Amendment. 

“I love our platform,” she said. “It is something that every county has an opportunity to be part of, and it is done by us. That’s the important part.”

Blair touched on the social contract and the citizen’s right to be heard, civic duty and the importance of an informed electorate — which he said he was looking at in the crowded room — and said the Second Amendment is crucial to the Wyoming way of life. 

At a June 8 debate hosted by the Park County Republican Party, Webber described the platform as “perfect.” She said it’s what sets Republicans apart from Democrats, Constitutional Party members and other parties.

“Being a Republican in the state of Wyoming, gosh, we got it easy here,” she said. “We have fresh air, we have open lands, we have private property rights, we have all of these things that other states are looking to Wyoming to be.”

Blair said he agrees with the platform, but takes issue with the plank related to traditional marriage. For one thing, he noted that same-sex couples in Wyoming currently have the right to marry.

“When we start taking away rights because they make us uncomfortable or we don’t feel good about it, we open the door to a very dangerous, slippery slope that I’m not willing to stand on,” Blair said.

Blair said he agrees with the GOP platform that a traditional family based on a man and a woman is the best institution for raising children, “but marriage is a government construct.”

“The way that this is written, it invalidates my relationship with my spouse, my children,” Blair added, as he and his spouse are not married, “and that’s between me, them and God, and not the government.”

He also said the plank reduces the importance of single mothers and fathers.

Conclusion

Webber said as it’s a Republican primary, voters can look at the platform and then go check her voting record to compare. 

“I’m very proud of the work that we have done in the last two years, and we have protected you,” she said. “We put more money back into your pockets. We have protected you with property taxes. We got boys out of girls sports. There’s so many. We’ve helped with gun-free zones.”

She said going forward she wants to restrict Sharia law from the state, support food freedom and deal with issues on nuclear energy. 

Blair said it’s important to vote with your constituents in Cheyenne. 

“It is also important to do the work and bring forth bills that are grown in your district and sponsor those and work for them,” he said, adding, “when you’re casting your vote, pick those who will represent you, that means being accountable and being accessible.” 

He pledged to do that.

Webber, Blair talked schools, business development in first forum

Cody Rep. Nina Webber and challenger Quin Blair have already debated before Wednesday’s matchup in Powell. On June 8, the two faced off at a forum put on by the Park County Republican Party in Cody. 

There were a number of topics discussed, including what the two thought about the recent recalibration bill passed by the Legislature, and issues regarding business development, including the growth of AI data centers and nuclear energy.

On school recalibration

Blair said while the recalibration bill, which cruised through the Legislature and was supported by Webber and the rest of the county delegation, increased funding by $114 million. However, “they still managed to shortchange the flexible funding local schools use for FFA, FBLA, sports, activities, debate, extracurriculars, substitute teachers, and even meal programs for students in need,” Blair said.

“That’s not conservative budgeting, that’s sloppy budgeting,” he said, saying Wyoming deserves leaders who consider the consequences before they vote.

Webber, however, disputed that there are shortfalls.

“I’m hearing that from some of the lobby groups, but I’m not seeing that in the actual budgets, I’m not seeing the shortfalls,” she said. “There’s plenty of money in there.”

In 2025, lawmakers approved raises for teachers, but “I don’t know where the money went,” Webber said, so they put more restrictions on the funding this time around to ensure the money went to teachers. 

Webber said she supports teachers, noting their critical role in educating children.

Blair also likened the Legislature’s restrictions on local school districts to the federal government taking control from the State of Wyoming. He said school board members should be allowed to do their job and held accountable by voters.

He said getting recalibration “right” would be his top priority, followed by legislation to further protect private property rights and to protect the agriculture industry.

Business development

Webber said AI data centers and nuclear waste “have some cost to the people that live here, and that is what we have to decide, is, do you want these here?”

She noted community members in Bar Nunn opposed a nuclear facility there.

Webber also opposes government subsidies, saying many of those in the audience have thriving businesses because they made it happen with their own hard work, education and money.

“I support people; I don’t really support more government,” she said.

Blair also expressed concerns with data centers, saying other states have “buyer’s remorse” and are upset they invited them. He cited issues with noise, water degradation and electrical rates “going through the roof.”

Blair said he’d need to do a deep dive on nuclear energy by speaking with constituents, but said he’d be a “hard no” on storing nuclear waste in Wyoming. 

“We are the most pristine state in the union, and we have a landscape to be proud of,” he said. “We are not anybody’s dumpster.”