Chamber Committee Spotlight: Government Affairs

As election season kicks into full swing, the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs committee continues to serve as a conduit for information and local civic involvement.

Mission and meetings

One of six Chamber Committees, the Government Affairs committee “works to be a conduit for ideas and information regarding public policy to flow between members, the board, local municipalities and elected officials, in order to support the health of our communities and the mission of our Chamber; the committee’s goal is to help shape public policy that benefits our membership by proactively promoting community dialogue,” according to the committee’s mission statement.

The committee meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m., usually at the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce office at 54 S. Main St. The monthly meetings include conversations about local, state and national political issues that impact our local communities. Committee topics in 2025 included discussions on fraud and registered agents, housing and gaming. The committee brings local and state officials to the table to have robust conversations on complicated subjects.

Legislation conversations

The committee connects citizens to their local legislators through a variety of events. The Legislative Forum, held annually in November/December, provides local community organizations and individuals with the chance to present to the legislators and make requests prior to the start of the legislative session early the next year.

The Eggs and Issues breakfast, held annually in the weeks leading up to the start of the legislative session, provides legislators with a chance to share their priorities and answer questions from community members. And at the end of the session, the committee’s legislative wrap-up provides an opportunity for legislators to reflect while taking additional community questions.

During the legislative session, the committee also convenes its legislative subcommittee — a small group of committee members that reviews potential legislation and helps guide the Chamber’s legislative advocacy. Earlier this year, the committee spoke in favor of tightening requirements that would limit fraud activities, among other conversations.

Meet the candidates

During election years, the committee hosts a variety of forums and debates designed to help community members make informed votes.  These events are opportunities to hear from the candidates for state and local offices prior to the opening of absentee voting for the primary and general elections.

In 2026, primary forums will be held July 20 and 21 at the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center, 42 N. Main St in Sheridan, and July 23 at the Tongue River Valley Community Center, 1100 U.S. Highway 14, Dayton.

General election forums will be held Sept. 14 and 15 at the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center and Sept. 17 at the Tongue River Valley Community Center in Dayton.

All forums will begin at 6 p.m. and are free and open to the community. The forums at the WYO Theater will be livestreamed and recorded on the Chamber’s YouTube channel.

In addition, the Chamber – in cooperation with Wyoming PBS and The Sheridan Press – will host a live – and live-streamed – Republican U.S. House Primary Debate on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College. Community members can attend in-person at Sheridan College or watch it on the Wyoming PBS YouTube channel or on Wyoming PBS. Get your free tickets online at https://www.wyotix.com/events/us-house-republican-primary-8-4-2026.

Get involved today!

The Government Affairs Committee is currently led by Chair Cody Sinclair, Vice Chair Dave Schwend and Secretary Gail Symons, with assistance from Chamber Staff Liaison Stephen Dow. They are always looking for new members to become part of the conversation.

The Government Affairs committee, like all Chamber committees, is open to all Chamber members and their employees. There are multiple benefits to joining a Chamber committee including:

• Becoming more involved in the community and growing your personal network
• Providing feedback on community issues and programs the Chamber is involved in
• Developing leadership skills

If you are interested in joining a Chamber committee, reach out to the Chamber at (307) 672-2485, and we can help connect you to a committee that best suits your experience and interests.