Chad Auer (Republican)

2820 Pioneer Ave
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001-2729
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My wife and I live in Cheyenne. We are empty nesters with three kids and our first grand child on the way.

I bring over 20 years of experience in educational leadership, public policy and community service. I have served as a teacher, principal, district administrator and held leadership roles in two state departments of education. I have experience working with traditional public as well as charter, online and alternative schools in rural, suburban and Tribal committees. I have also served as a mayor and volunteer firefighter.

Juris Doctor law degree from the University of Wyoming. Masters in Education Administration, Leadership and Policy from the University of Colorado – Denver. Bachelors degree in Biology from Colorado State University.

I have served as Mayor and held several other community leadership positions, including Co-Vice Chair of the Denver Metro Mayors Caucus. In that capacity, I participated in international economic development and cultural exchange initiatives with local officials in the Middle East, China, and Canada.

I am running because Wyoming is facing a number of critical educational choices. Will we embrace the future with thoughtfulness, creativity, and optimism? Or will we settle for the tired options of embalming the status quo or recklessly dismantling our strong public schools? Will we respect public education, fund our schools and honor our western values? Or will we shrink from the moment and allow narrow minded activists to hold us back? The geopolitical marketplace is changing rapidly and I believe Wyoming has an opportunity to show America how to prepare our kids for the future, not 1975. In my opinion, no state is better positioned to meet this challenge. I am passionate about leading Wyoming's education system forward without falling into the trappings of extreme political divisiveness.

First, position the Wyoming Department of Education as a trusted thought partner and supporter of local districts. Second, update our system of standards, assessment and accountability so that parents and teachers have access to real data, to make real decisions in real time. Third, advocate for thoughtful innovation without dismantling Wyoming's strong system of public education.