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Republican Donald Trump becoming the 45th President of the United States was a shock for Albany County progressive Chris Lowry.

But the left-leaning Wyoming native in an overwhelmingly Republican environment isnt looking to lie down and accept an executive branch thats taking the nation in a direction that contradicts some of his core values. Instead, Lowry said he and fellow Albany County progressives are feeling energized.

It was disappointing, but I would say it gave me incentive to work even harder, Lowry said of the November election that saw Republicans take control of Congress and the White House. It definitely seems the opposition feels inspired to work together against a common threat to what people on the left feel are important to them.

Lowry, 33, came to Laramie to pursue a chemistry degree at the University of Wyoming. Today, hes a chemist at Western Research Institute and a single dad of two younger children. Since the April primary where more than 1,000 local Democrats cast their votes in the Democratic caucus, Lowry has attended monthly meetings of the Albany County Democratic Party.

The number of people that were there was really impressive, he said of the caucus. Wyoming people wanted to have a voice even though Democrats are outnumbered by more than two-to-one.

Looking forward, Lowry said he plans to remain active politically.

If a position in the (Democratic Party) leadership happens to open up and the rest of the county delegates think that Im a good choice, then Ill accept a leadership position, he said. But I plan on remaining active and involved and aware of whats going on.

Laramie resident Adrienne Vetter, 34, also said shes been inspired by the enthusiasm local progressives displayed during and since the election cycle. Like Lowry, Vetter said she was a supporter of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran on a democratic socialist platform to the left of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Though shes volunteered some time and effort to the Albany County Democratic Party in the past, Vetter said shes also potentially upping her commitment in the near future.

Ive definitely been interested since the caucus section of the election, she said. Its kind of that realization, If not me, then who? We have to step it up and be more involved in political systems.

Vetter said she let the Albany County Democrats know she wants to put her name in the hat for the State Committeewoman position.

Im planning on being more involved, she said. Im not entirely sure Ill get it, but its important enough for me to fight this apathetic mood by taking a risk and putting myself out there.

One of Lowrys first acts of 2017 was attending the Wyoming Womens March in Cheyenne on Jan. 21 to voice dissent regarding Trumps policies that he said he opposes.

I think it was uplifting and inspirational, he said.

I feel like it was empowering to a lot of people that were there and for me, too just to have something to kind of register dissent of the results.

Albany Countys Democratic representatives in the State House and Senate were able to keep their seats in November, but werent able to come up with any victories from newcomers. With a Senate seat and four house seats up for grabs, only Rep. Cathy Connolly, D-Laramie, and Rep. Charles Pelkey, D-Laramie defeated their challengers. Pelkeys race was the closest as Republican challenger Tom Schmit had the lead with 12 of 13 precincts reporting before the final precinct, but early and absentee votes put Pelkey over the top.

However, since the election, some local progressives have been pleased to have some younger blood looking to fill leadership positions, said Pam Mathewson, Albany County Democratic Party chair.

We have a whole lot of new faces and we have a lot more precinct committee spots filled, Mathewson said. Weve been engaging some more young people and people who previously havent been politically active, or at least not recently. Were trying to get their viewpoints, get them into the process and part of our organization so we can be more inclusive, get more viewpoints and what they want to see for the future of Albany County and Wyoming. Were getting new faces and new enthusiasm, and thats always nice to see.

Forward Wyoming is a nonprofit organization based in Laramie dedicated to progressive causes. Though the group is officially nonpartisan, Executive Director Marc Homer said it is aligned with progressive ideals.

Were working to develop the next generation of progressive advocates, Homer said.

During the 2016 election cycle, Forward Wyoming worked with affiliate organizations to support Democratic candidates running for seats in the Legislature. Homer said Forward Wyoming is moving on with the Grassroots Institute, a free program offered to community members looking to learn how to enact political change. He said many Democrats as well as Republicans and Independents think the Trump administration is out-of-step with their values and could unite to oppose policies they find objectionable.

There used to be a time where conservatives and liberals wanted the same things, Homer said. We are teaching young people to organize so they can go in their communities, they can begin to protect the rights that they know they should be having as American citizens and they are going to try to develop public momentum behind ideas that are simply trying to level the playing field and give everyone a slice of the pie.

In addition to the Womens March for which Forward Wyoming chartered a bus that transported dozens of Laramie residents to Cheyenne Homer said there are more actions coming from progressives looking to make their voices heard in Wyoming.

I think its wonderful people are finally taking this seriously maybe a day late and a dollar short but they are going out, he said. Well see more of these rallies, and well do our part in helping to sustain them.

Wyomings Legislature is also on Albany County progressives radars, Lowry said.

Im worried about losing access to public lands, Im worried about government overreach into public bathrooms, Im worried about bills that are titled Religious Freedom but actually protect Christian beliefs more than allowing non-Christians to have an opinion, he said. I make phone calls and send emails, and Im donating and volunteering.

Mathewson said local Democrats are happy about the defeat of House Bill 135, titled Government Nondiscrimination Act, which opponents said would tie the governments hands in protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination. However, she said they are still concerned about bills regarding abortion and concealed carry of firearms.

Those are bills at the top of the list wed like to see if we can keep from passing, she said.

With all the disagreements between liberals and conservatives in Albany County and across the nation, Lowry said he thinks its important especially for people on the left to listen to different and opposing viewpoints. The violence that broke out when Breitbart News editor and right wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos was scheduled to come to the University of California, Berkeley, campus Feb. 1 was counterproductive way for progressives to express themselves, Lowry.

We have to find a way to build some consensus, he said. Some of the ugly rhetoric Ive seen from people not just online, but in person, like the riots in California is probably not the best action to take. The violence and destruction of property is not going to help win elections and change.

Homer said the best way to forward for progressives is registering more people to vote.

Hopefully politicians who are ethically challenged maybe the only thing they listen to is the zero-sum result of whether they win or lose, he said. So, we have to keep getting more people registered to vote so they will keep that pressure up.

Link:
County progressives moving forward after elections - Laramie Boomerang