Councilman Running Write-In Campaign For Cheyenne Mayor

Cheyenne City Councilman Richard Johnson says he is running for Mayor of Cheyenne as a write-in candidate.

Johnson says that while he will serve as mayor if he is elected, his campaign is also intended as a statement about political campaigns, politicians and politics in general.

He says he wants to send the message '"that you do not have to go with what's on the ticket....don't waste your time with Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse as has been done in the past."

Johnson says that if a voter knows someone other than himself who would be a better mayor, they should write-in that person's name instead.

He notes he was elected to the city council while not spending any money other than the $25 dollar fee to file, and says he wants to try to get elected mayor without even spending the filing fee.

Johnson says political signs "are litter" and that during political campaigns "everyone is just going to lie to your face."

Johnson says if he is elected a lot of things "would remain status quo." But he says in general he is "a small government guy" and would follow that philosophy. Johnson says that while government can encourage private enterprise, he's not a fan of government itself trying to do too much other than what is really necessary.

He also says he would probably spend a fair amount of time with outgoing Mayor Rick Kaysen between election day and inauguration day learning about mayoral duties and where things stand before being sworn in.

Johnson was elected to the city council in 2014. He is the second council member to announce his candidacy for mayor, joining Scott Roybal, who followed the more traditional route of filing for office on Monday.

Other candidates who have formally filed for mayor of Cheyenne include Amy Surdam, Marian Orr, Rex Wilde and Pete Illoway. The formal filing period runs through May 27.