The primary election is still more than a month away and already there have been two big candidate forums in Powell and numerous other smaller events for certain candidates or groups of candidates all over the county. 

To those candidates who have made themselves so available, I thank you, and to those who have shown up to various events, I commend you. It’s important to be well versed in local politics if you really want to have a say in what happens right here in our communities. 

And, yes, all of this is happening as national politics is in full swing, between the early presidential debate, historic court cases and quite unusual calls for the sitting president not to run again by members of his own party. 

All of that is worth paying attention to, but in Park County, we can’t focus on those to the exclusion of local races. it’s locally where we can really make a difference, and local officials who can really make a difference in our lives. 

For instance, whether President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump wins a second term in the fall isn’t going to change who you’re looking at if you head into a Park County Commission meeting asking the five commissioners to approve a new subdivision you’re trying to create. Two of the seats are up for grabs in the August election, and most of the six people running for those seats have attended at least one of the candidate forums in Powell. 

This is local politics, so your vote and the vote of your family and friends could swing an election one way or another. And if you’ve paid attention, you have a better idea of who is more in line with your beliefs and who you would most like to have voting on your proposal. 

That goes for city council and mayor too. As for state legislative races up for grabs, who do you want going to bat for Powell and Park County in Cheyenne? They are one of dozens instead of one of a handful like county or city, but state senators and representatives are still so much more accessible than the average national political figure and thus much more able to have time to talk with you in person at the grocery store. 

So, if you haven’t taken advantage of one of the forums yet, stay tuned and wait for the next one, or reach out to any of the local candidates, who I’m sure would be happy to talk about your issues and where they stand. Then, when you go to vote in the Aug. 20 primary, you’ll be the kind of well-informed voter and citizen we need most.