ROCK SPRINGS– The Wyoming Democratic Party has a new chairman, and he is a 32-year-old from Laramie.
Lucas Fralik resigns as a committeeman for the Wyoming Democratic State Central Committee in order to serve as party chair for the Democratic National Committee. He has previously served as the Campbell County and Albany County party chairmen.
He defeated Evansville Mayor Candace Machado in a 52-4 vote at the party leadership meeting in Rock Springs on Sunday. The term is for four years.
When Fralik learned of his victory, he immediately stood, shook Machado’s hand, and applauded her, along with the other 50 meeting attendees.
Fralik succeeds outgoing Chairman Joe Barbuto, who announced his departure on May 21 after three terms (two under the party’s previous two-year term structure and one under the current four-year structure).
Barbuto plans to join a national organization that assists state Democratic parties, he announced at the time.
“For The People”
During his campaign speech, Fralik emphasized the party’s inclusivity and servant-heartedness.
“We’re here for the people,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an immigrant coming through, trying to make a life here and you choose Wyoming as your home,” Fralik told the audience. “It doesn’t matter if you work every day to provide for your family.
“And it doesn’t matter if you’re a kid who just wants to read any book you want in the library, a couple who just wants to — couple.”
Laughter erupted among attendees.
In an earlier interview with Cowboy State Daily, Fralik stated that the issues people label as left or right are not his focus, but rather the people who are dealing with them.
The Wyoming party has energy, but it must learn to translate it to Wyomingites, he said, emphasizing the importance of volunteerism, involvement, and “showing up.”
Fralik believes the party’s platform does not necessarily require changes.
“It’s not really about being left or right,” explained the politician. “It’s about serving the community…” It’s about showing up where people need us most, which I believe many of our county parties already do.
Fralik told Cowboy State Daily in a follow-up interview that his now-vacant seat as a national committeeman will be filled at a later date, possibly in August.
“We Are Called To Fight”
During her campaign speech, Machado emphasized her high energy level and ability to serve a “Republican-type town” as mayor of Evansville. She said she’s faced numerous challenges in that role.
“We’ve been called to fight. We are now called to rise — to stand up and declare that we are here and will not leave,” Machado said. “And we are specifically being called to address the big key issues that don’t get addressed in Wyoming.”
Machado cites human rights, women’s rights, civil rights, and immigration reform.
The attendees gave Machado a standing ovation to acknowledge her campaign, a practice that Democratic leaders repeated for each losing candidate as the election progressed.
Vice Chair
Lindsey Hanlon, the party’s former communications director and 2023 Nellie Tayloe Ross Award winner, was nominated for the vice chair position, as was Machado.
Machado declined the nomination, so Hanlon was elected unanimously.
During her speech, Hanlon stated that the party needs to reach out to stray Democrats in Wyoming and connect them to their county parties, as well as county parties to each other.
She urged Democrats to engage voters and volunteers through volunteerism and community service.
“We have people suffering right now,” Hanlon stated. “We need to be doing everything we can, that is within our power, to help those people.”
Treasurer
Kyle “El” Cameron, the party’s interim labor caucus chair who challenged Wyoming Republican U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman for her seat in 2024, was nominated for party treasurer, as was current Treasurer Dudley Case.
Case won 30-27.
His campaign speech included a plan to improve the party’s financial situation.
He stated that he hopes to better position the party to support Democratic candidates for public office.
Throughout the four-hour meeting, numerous party leaders emphasized the importance of statewide fundraising efforts.
Cameron praised Case’s goals as worthy during her campaign speech, citing her considerable budget-management abilities.
Secretary
Dacia Edwards, a Natrona County party precinct committeewoman who was unable to attend the meeting due to her son’s graduation, defeated Leslie Kee for the seat 33-24.
Two ballots were marked blank.
Edwards, like Machado, is an Evansville official who serves on the town council.
Randy Leinen, Crook County Democratic Party Chair, congratulated his party on a smooth election, contrasting it with “the other party” — a reference to a contested Hot Springs County Republican Party election that has since resulted in litigation.
“I am proud of each and every one of you,” Leinen stated.
