WHEATLAND — Harriet Hageman talked to the Record-Times on May 10 about her run for governor.
Hageman said her three primary reasons for running were to fix the relationship between federal and state government; right-size state government; and protect, defend and advocate for Wyoming’s legacy industries, such as minerals, agriculture and tourism.
“We have a $1.5 billion structural deficit we need to figure out how to address,” Hageman said of Wyoming.
Hageman said federal regulations on Wyoming are 50 percent higher than other states.

“The federal government has a heavy footprint in Wyoming,” Hageman said. “Power should reside with the states. States provide services to citizens, not the federal government. We need to keep more money in the state.”
Hageman, a water and natural resource attorney, grew up near Fort Laramie. Her family still lives there. Hageman now lives in Cheyenne with her husband, John Sundahl.
Hageman practices law all over the state representing clients such as irrigation districts, counties, sportsmen’s groups, farmers, ranchers and more concerning natural resource issues.
Hageman said Wyoming needs to protect its industries. She said there are many different ways to do that, and one is to address misinformation. She said the state needs to be more active in addressing misinformation.
“Misinformation about coal, for example. Wyoming industries are under attack nationally and internationally,” Hageman said. “The state needs to combat misinformation out there. The coal in Wyoming is very clean coal. Its energy improved life for all citizens in the U.S., not just Wyoming.
“We need to challenge efforts to attack those industries.”
Hageman also advocates the responsible use of natural resources like water, coal, uranium and minerals. She said the state needs to make sure those industries are able to continue to operate.
More information about Hageman can be found on her website, www.hagemanforgovernor.com, and her Facebook page.