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Petersen

Wilson resident Leslie Petersen will lead the state Democratic Party for the next two years.

Petersen was elected chairwoman of the Wyoming Democrats in an uncontested vote Saturday in Casper. Fellow Jackson Hole resident Chuck Herz was re-elected treasurer.

“I’m thrilled,” Petersen said Sunday afternoon. “I have a wonderful team to work with. ... It isn’t just me, it’s a team of people from around the state, and they’re pretty fired up.”

Petersen said she’s particularly excited about the state of young Democrats in Wyoming, who will be active in helping elect Democrats in a state dominated by Republicans.

“I think the state would be better off with a little stronger two-party system,” she said.

Petersen has worked for years with the Teton County Democrats and had served as state committeewoman before deciding to run for chairwoman. Since the mid-1970s, she has held numerous positions with the Teton County Democrats, including precinct person and county chairwoman. She once worked as a legislative liaison for former Gov. Ed Herschler.

She made two unsuccessful attempts at state political office, running for secretary of state in 1982 and a spot in the state House of Representatives in 1990.

Petersen has helped organize fundraising events for presidential candidates Sens. John Kerry and Barack Obama that she said each raised more than $450,000.

“Leslie has been heavily involved in state party affairs for quite a long time,” said Bill Luckett, executive director of the state party. “She’s been phenomenal. She’s well-known and well-respected around the state.”

Petersen has worked in real estate in Jackson since the mid-1980s but recently retired from that career to spend time with her family, enjoy the outdoors and devote more time to politics.

Petersen is married to Teton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Hank Phibbs. She was once a member of the rodeo team at the University of Wyoming, worked in her husband’s law office, served as a county commissioner and has been involved with numerous conservation, political and natural resource boards.

Luckett said the Democrats’ central committee also elected Mike Bell, of Cheyenne, vice chairman, and Linda Barton, of Fremont County, secretary.

Former Chairman John Millin did not seek re-election.