WHEATLAND — Bill Dahlin interviewed with the Record-Times on May 10 about his run for governor.
Dahlin acknowledged there is “a plethora” of Republicans running for the office.
“I think what sets me apart is I’m a businessman … I’ve been in the corporate ladder and I’ve started businesses from scratch,” Dahlin said. “I bought a coal mine that was out of business; I turned it into a railroad-served landfill. I grew other businesses out of that.”
Dahlin said none of his competitors for the office of governor has a more direct connection with the Wyoming energy community than he does.
Dahlin said the state owns two Cessna jets, which he would sell if elected. He said no businessman on the planet could justify the expense of those planes.
“So it’s a bad example in the executive branch … That’s the first place you start, is example,” Dahlin said. “Those jets are millions in money, not small money.”
Dahlin said the state’s agricultural sector should expand into industrial hemp, which has nothing to do with marijuana but has been stigmatized. He said industrial hemp was a major contributor to the country’s success during World War II as parachutes, ropes and countless other goods were made out of hemp.
Dahlin said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is introducing legislation that is expected to fast track the declassification of industrial hemp. He said Wyoming needs to get on board now so the state doesn’t get left behind later. He said many states have started industrial hemp research pilot programs, including North Dakota and Montana.
“That gives them a leg up when hemp is declassified,” Dahlin said. “Then the state in the research pattern will take off. Wyoming is not in the position to do that, and we should get there as soon as we can.”

Dahlin said industrial hemp has about 25,000 uses across the globe, including in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics, paper products, construction material and more.
Dahlin also complained there is no USDA meat processing facility in Wyoming.
“The doors need to be opened up so we can prosper in the agricultural sector,” Dahlin said.
Dahlin said the biggest issue facing the state is the economy.
“It affects every single one of us, not one is exempt,” Dahlin said.
Dahlin said the state is 70 percent reliant on the energy and mineral sector.
“We don’t have a diversified economy,” Dahlin said, “so whatever that sector does, so goes the economy of our state.”
Dahlin said 20 years ago, when the Wyoming Business Council was established, the state was 70 percent dependent on energy and mineral revenue. He said conditions remain the same in spite of millions spent through the council.
“I don’t have a problem with their intent, I have a problem with their results,” he said of the Wyoming Business Council.
Dahlin stressed that the economy must be the number one focus of the state, in good times and bad times, because it touches everybody. He said since the beginning of statehood, Wyoming’s economy has never been diversified. He said the state can diversify its economy through industrial hemp and “other low-hanging fruit” to grow its agricultural sector.
Dahlin noted many of the candidates would like to put federal land in state hands.
“I get the constitutional reasoning behind it,” Dahlin said, “but I think there are more proactive things we can do in the state right now that would help Wyoming more.”
Dahlin said the state doesn’t manage state land as well as it could, either. He said the federal land issue is a huge fight that isn’t necessary at this time, and it will likely go before the Supreme Court.
“My competitors want to fight the federal government — fight, fight, fight,” Dahlin said. “I’ve been hearing that my whole life — no specifics, just fight, fight, fight … That fight-fight stuff just weighs you down and costs money.”
Dahlin explained his position is to be proactive for the state of Wyoming, and only fight when necessary.
Dahlin said he has not run for public office previously. He encouraged everyone to vote in the Aug. 21 primary, and to vote for him.
“Hopefully, I can look at things from a 100 percent different perspective, without having gone through the rigorous training of becoming a career politician,” he said.
Dahlin was born and raised in Sheridan. He moved away to the Midwest when he was younger, but returned to Wyoming in 2000 after establishing businesses.