Rex Rich

Rex Rich entered the House District 25 race last week, joining former state Rep. David Northrup, Park County Republican precinct committee member Troy Bray, and Powell businessman Chris Good.

Rich said he has professional experience in all of Wyoming’s key industries, including agriculture, government, tourism, and oil and gas. He held a management position at ExxonMobil later in his career, before he retired. 

“I can understand a little of every aspect of the state’s economy,” Rich said. “I know what a business needs to succeed, and because I know, I’m not willing to go down a road that’s going to force our businesses to go under.” 

For businesses to succeed in Wyoming, Rich explained, they need a business-friendly environment, a solid workforce, and a good natural environment. 

“We got some of the most pristine scenery in the world. We need to protect that, because it’s also part of our economy,” Rich said, adding that he believes Wyoming has “a fairly good business climate. I’d like to maintain that, and maybe improve it if we can.” 

Rich said, if elected, he’d also strengthen abortion laws and support for the Second Amendment. He’d try to do something about the property tax increases that residents of the state, especially those in Teton and Park counties, have experienced this year. 

“I don’t think there’s a corresponding need for that much tax revenue in the county, so I think we need to give some relief, especially to lower-income people,” Rich said. 

The candidate didn’t have a specific plan for legislation to address the issue, but Rich said he’d research what approaches might work for Wyoming. Whatever approach he supported, Rich said, it would be the one that’s best for the people of the district. 

“I’m not saying I got the answers now, but I have the ability to go forward and find the answers,” Rich said. 

As for what he brings to the table over his opponents in the race, Rich said he’s known Northrup for years, but Northrup is not as conservative as Rich said he thinks the position needs. 

“I’d like to see a little more conservative voice down there in the legislature,” Rich said. 

Bray, Rich said, is sometimes “overly passionate.” Rich said there’d been some “heated words” exchanged between candidates in the race, but he has none to contribute himself. 

“I don’t want in on that. That’s not me. I try to look at the positive side of everything and work toward the positive,” Rich explained. 

Rich said he doesn’t know a lot about Chris Good, but thinks a local businessman would have something of value to offer as a legislator. In 2020, Good was a candidate in HD25, but had to withdraw when his wife Maria had an accident. Rich said he respects Good for that decision. 

In the days ahead, Rich said he’d reach out to all the other candidates in the race to discuss where there’s common ground and where there’s differences.

The main point he wants to make about his campaign is that, if elected, he’d be there for the people who put him in the Legislature. 

“I’m going to represent the people of the district and not myself,” Rich said.