GILLETTE, Wyo.— As the Aug. 20 primary election nears, County 17 has sent lists of questions to each primary candidate.
These questions are designed to give readers a better understanding of the people behind the names on the ballot. Except for minor grammar editing and clarifications, all candidate responses submitted to County 17 are republished as they are received.
Read responses sent by Rep. Ken Clouston, candidate for Wyoming House Representative for Wyoming House District 32, below.
What issues, if any, impacted your decision to run for this position or why were you interested in the position?
The main reason I am running for this office again is to continue to represent the majority of the needs
and residents of Campbell County. People here worry about how to pay medical bills, the cost of
groceries, increased property taxes, the quality of our schools, the safety of our community, and the
future of our fossil fuel industries. I do not believe most people wake up in Wyoming wondering if this
Republican will move the political needle a bit to the middle or to the right, but rather if this person will
move Wyoming ahead.
I have effectively built relationships and advanced laws directly benefiting Campbell County. I believe
that politicians serve as role models for our children, exemplifying integrity and ethical behavior. Their
actions and decisions should reflect the values we want to instill in future generations. Politicians should
be evaluated not only by their effectiveness in achieving policy goals but also by their conduct and
ethical standards while campaigning and serving in office.
What unique life or career experience would you bring to the role?
I was twice elected to the Campbell County School Board and served two years on the State Board of
Education. I hold a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. These lifelong commitments and experiences in
education have given me unique experiences, background, and knowledge that have allowed me to be
effective on the Joint Education Committee. Additionally, I was selected as the Wyoming Representative
on the National Education Commission of the States.
My 32 years as a physical therapist, caring for and serving others, have provided me with many great
experiences. I am so fortunate to be involved in, know, and help people in our community every day. I
started our company with one employee, and we now have 25 employees. We have built an incredible
team, and it has been an honor to work with them and grow our business, which has donated over
$750,000 to Campbell County charities over the last 19 years. It is important that all of us be involved
with and support our community in anyway that we can.
Do you have previous experience in governmental office?
Experience:
2022–2024: Incumbent, House District 32, western half of the city of Gillette
2020–2022: State Board of Education
2016–2022: Campbell County School Board Trustee
2014–2016: Campbell County Healthcare Board
Currently: Serving on the Legislative Joint Education Committee and the Joint Labor, Health, and Social
Services Committee. Selected as the Wyoming Representative for the National Education Commission of the States and at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Previous Roles: President and Vice President of the Wyoming Physical Therapy Association; 2012–2020
Wyoming Federal Affairs Liaison for the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy
Association
Awards:
2022 Wyoming School Board Member of the Year
2012 Campbell County Healthcare Provider of the Year
What are the top issues facing communities in Campbell County right now, and what would you do about them if elected?
My Top Priorities:
Fossil Fuel Industries:
I am very proud of the close work I did over the last two years with our fossil fuel industries, and I am
honored to have the endorsements of both the WY Mining Association and the WY Petroleum
Association. I will continue to work with both organizations to support the vitally important work they do
for Wyoming. I am committed to decreasing the severance tax on coal from 6.5% to the 6.0% level so it
equal the rate that oil and gas pay.
Education:
I have focused on decreasing standards and testing in our public schools to give teachers more time to
teach. I am a champion of school choice, advocating for increased access to options, including financial
assistance for those who qualify for early childhood education. I also promote Career and Technical
Education (CTE) and STEM programs for students from kindergarten to college.
Property Taxes:
I have worked on and co-sponsored three property tax bills, two of which became law: HB 3, the
Homestead Act for those 65 and older, and HB 45, which caps property tax increases at 4%. We will
continue to evaluate the success of these laws and explore further options, especially if the
constitutional amendment on separating property taxes passes this year.
Medical:
I aim to cut unnecessary regulations and red tape that cost all of us money and make our providers
spend time satisfying insurance companies instead of caring for their patients. My Prior Authorization bill
HB 14 and my Reimbursement of Overpayments bill HB 15 are great examples of how to improve
medical care in the U.S. and Wyoming. I am now leading a task force to streamline the credentialing
process for providers, consolidating the process to save everyone time and money.
What is your stance on recently enacted BLM rules regarding coal and oil leasing in the county and broader Powder River Basin area?
These BLM rules are another example of overreach by federal agencies dictating policy from Washington, D.C. These bureaucratic decisions ignore statutes, states’ rights, and common sense. We see such behavior in specific leases, wildlife management, water rights, recreational use, and many other areas. Each state can better control the unique situations within its borders, as states have less red tape and can respond faster and more efficiently to changes. Our whole state must support control of our public lands, bringing all elected officials and citizens together to fight such poor and infringing decisions by such federal agencies. Additionally, this infringement is not unique to Wyoming. Our state and our Congressional delegation must work with other states that are pushing back against the poor
management of public lands throughout our nation.
Have you ever held or do you currently hold any title, affiliation or investments that would be a conflict of interest with your duties as a government official?
I am not aware of any title, affiliation or investments that would be a conflict of interest with your duties
as a government official.
