GOP Senate Hopefuls Debate in Casper’s Politics in the Park

CASPER, Wyo. – On Wednesday, four Republican contenders for the U. S. Senate seat currently held by retiring Sen. Cynthia Lummis gathered in Casper for the second Politics in the Park event of the 2026 election cycle.

The candidates included Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman, former judge John Holtz, rancher and former Kirby mayor Sam Mead, and Mills businessman Jimmy Skovgard. They answered 16 questions that ranged from foreign policy to local land management issues during a forum held at Washington Park. Another Republican candidate, Jill M. Edwards, was absent.

The event kicked off with a question about how their core values relate to universal freedoms. Hageman, who has a background as a water natural resource and constitutional attorney, emphasized her legal expertise and stated that it’s the people who govern.

“Our forefathers recognized that our natural rights come from God. They do not come from the government. We always have to remember that we are the free ones, that we are the ones in charge in terms of our government and making sure that we are protecting those constitutional rights for every single citizen in this country,” she said.

Mead discussed how ranching taught him self-reliance; Skovgard referred to the biblical story of the Good Samaritan as an example of helping one’s neighbor; and Holtz mentioned his legal education and military experience as key influences on his belief in being prepared.

Housing, debt and the economy

While discussing affordable housing and retaining young residents in Wyoming, Hageman connected housing shortages to insufficient skilled labor and excessive regulations, pointing out challenges with permitting new subdivisions. Holtz warned that international issues like conflicts with Iran and supply chain disruptions will lead to higher construction costs across Wyoming. Skovgard attributed rising expenses for families to federal spending and elevated interest rates. Mead described affordable housing as being able to buy a home while holding down one job, noting that keeping youth around means providing more diverse job opportunities.

When it came to national debt and concerns about Social Security’s projected insolvency by 2032, candidates proposed different strategies. Skovgard suggested establishing a sovereign wealth fund for safeguarding Social Security funds, mentioning that addressing debt may involve tough but compassionate cuts. Hageman highlighted Republican initiatives aimed at reducing $1.5 trillion from federal spending while advocating for linking Medicaid eligibility with work requirements to bolster workforce participation.

“By doing that, we will have more people that are paying into Medicare, into Social Security,” she said.

Both Holtz and Mead recommended eliminating the cap on Social Security taxes as a way to generate essential revenue.

“If you have someone making $5 million a year, they’re paying about 2% in Social Security versus somebody making $50,000 paying 6.2% and the employer paying the same. We need to fix that,” Holtz said.

Mead concurred that raising or removing this cap would help stabilize funding for Social Security while also opposing tax loopholes benefiting billionaires.

“Increasing the top marginal tax bracket will not make a meaningful difference in the amount of revenue our government collects. What I do have a problem with is someone inheriting billions of dollars and never contributing to our society and our communities,” Mead said. “Those pools of wealth accumulate a tremendous amount of power, and I think that’s undemocratic.”

Foreign policy, immigration and veterans’ care

In response to inquiries regarding foreign policy funding for immigration enforcement efforts, Holtz referenced his time as an Air Force officer stationed abroad in Europe and Asia; he backed stronger border security measures due to threats posed by Mexican cartels alongside cattle diseases like screwworm.

Hageman defended existing border enforcement actions alongside local law enforcement personnel while praising President Donald Trump’s advocacy for NATO allies contributing more financially; she focused her foreign policy goals on promoting energy exports from Wyoming. Meanwhile Mead questioned how much taxpayer money goes toward border enforcement when it could be used instead for hiring judges who could swiftly handle claims; he also criticized current administration actions concerning Iran.

Republican U. S. Senate candidate Jimmy Skovgard speaks to a crowd of people at Washington Park during Politics In The Park event on Wednesday June 17th ,2026.(Klark Byrd , Oil City News)

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