The daddy of the 20-year-old Wyoming Marine who was killed in the course of the latest U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has filed to run for statehouse.
Jim McCollum, a Republican, threw his hat within the ring for Home District 16 towards Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson. Yin was first elected in 2018 when he soundly beat a Republican challenger. He ran unopposed in 2020.
“I made a decision to run as a result of Jackson and Teton County want a voice in Cheyenne,” McCollum mentioned. “Sadly, within the politically divisive local weather, Mr. Yin has been principally ineffective for his two phrases.”
Home District 16 encompasses most of downtown Jackson, one of many wealthiest enclaves within the nation and traditionally a Democratic stronghold.
McCollum is the daddy of Rylee McCollum, who died in a suicide bombing on the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. He and 12 different service members had been offering safety on the airport because it was being overwhelmed with evacuees making an attempt to go away the county after the Taliban’s takeover.
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Greater than 400 individuals attended a memorial service for Rylee McCollum at a Jackson ranch in October. In September, tons of attended a police-escorted procession for his stays upon returning to Jackson.
Following Rylee’s dying, his sisters and father appeared on “Fox & Mates“ and “Hannity“ on Fox Information, condemning President Joe Biden’s dealing with of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
McCollum mentioned he declined to speak with Biden at an occasion following the Kabul bombing, and referred to as the president’s decision-making “completely backwards.”
“All the things he has finished was fully flawed,” McCollum mentioned on Sean Hannity’s present in September. “I can’t blame the whole factor on one administration… we’re 20 years into this.
“However when it got here right down to pulling individuals out, pulling troops out, and leaving the nation, you couldn’t have picked a worse strategy to go about it.”
A Bondurant native, Rylee McCollum was on the time of his dying anticipating his first youngster in three weeks.
His widow, Jiennah, joined his sisters, Roice and Cheyenne, in a defamation lawsuit towards actor Alec Baldwin that was dismissed for jurisdictional causes this month. The household’s lawyer mentioned they plan to refile the case in a distinct courtroom.
Jim McCollum was born and raised in Western Wyoming, in response to his web site. He makes a dwelling as a log and timber craftsman setting up issues like log houses.
Yin shouldn’t be initially from Wyoming and moved right here inside the previous couple of years, however he doesn’t suppose that’s a disadvantage.
“I don’t just like the ‘We will solely elect the individuals which can be from right here. It’s nearly anti-immigration,” Yin mentioned. “My focus shouldn’t be on whether or not I’m from right here or I’m not from right here. I’m seeking to make Wyoming a household place individuals can elevate their households.”
Usually, an incumbent has an automated benefit due to identify recognition on the poll — individuals vote for who they know. That’s a bit totally different on this race, as McCollum has gained prominence over the previous couple of months.
“I believe we each have identify recognition at this level, so it’s what it’s,” Yin mentioned.