Banks wins third term in House District 26

Banks wins third term in House District 26

By John Bernhisel

Republican Rep. Dalton Banks of Cowley won re-election Tuesday to a third term representing Wyoming House District 26, carrying every precinct in the district over Democratic challenger Ralph Nieder-Westermann of Greybull.

Banks, who has served two terms, or four years, in the Wyoming House, received 2,557 votes to Nieder-Westermann’s 571. Seven write-in votes were cast. Counting only votes cast for candidates, Banks won 81.6% of the district vote.

The House District 26 race drew 3,277 total ballots, including 139 undervotes and three overvotes.

Banks’ closest margin came in Greybull, where he received 555 votes to Nieder-Westermann’s 236. Banks also carried Lovell, the district’s largest precinct, by a margin of 883 votes to 167.

Results from the other Big Horn County precincts showed similarly strong support for Banks. He won Shell 171-52, Cowley 376-38, Byron 174-20, Deaver 69-13 and Frannie 70-12. In the small Emblem precinct, Banks received three votes while Nieder-Westermann received none.

The district also includes small portions of Park County. In the Park County portion of Frannie, Banks received 11 votes to Nieder-Westermann’s five. In the small northeastern Park County area included in House District 26, Banks received 245 votes to Nieder-Westermann’s 28.

In a statement following his victory, Banks thanked voters for returning him to Cheyenne and acknowledged his opponent’s campaign.

“I want to sincerely thank the people of House District 26 for again placing their trust in me,” Banks wrote. “It has been an honor to serve this district, and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue representing our communities in the Wyoming House of Representatives.”

Banks also thanked Nieder-Westermann, saying that running a campaign is “no easy thing” and that he appreciated “a civil race.”

During the campaign, Banks emphasized protecting Wyoming’s water, supporting local agriculture and small businesses, investing in communities and creating opportunities for young people to remain in Wyoming. His campaign materials described those priorities as part of keeping Wyoming strong and giving rural communities a voice in the Legislature.

“There’s important work ahead especially for our future generations, and I don’t take lightly the responsibility entrusted to me,” Banks wrote. “I look forward to continuing to be a voice for our communities, advocate for rural Wyoming and standing up for the values that make Wyoming and the Big Horn Basin a great place to live.”

Banks’ new two-year term will begin when the Wyoming Legislature convenes in January.