Charles Young

Charles Young served in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Young completed his high school studies as a homeschooled student. He went on to earn an associate degree from Western Wyoming Community College in 2007 and a law degree from the University of Wyoming in 2014. Young's career experience includes working as a businessman.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong Wyomingite who believes public service is about integrity, professionalism, and leaving government better than you found it. I grew up on my family's ranch in Carbon County, where I learned the values of hard work, personal responsibility, and service to others.

I have spent more than a decade serving Wyoming in public service, including with the Wyoming Department of Corrections, the Secretary of State's Office, and as Wyoming's Elections Director during the 2024 election. Those experiences gave me firsthand knowledge of election administration, state government, and the importance of earning the public's trust.

Outside of government, I have owned and operated a small business in Cheyenne for more than ten years. That experience has given me a practical understanding of the challenges Wyoming businesses face every day.

I also serve as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve and volunteer as a lieutenant colonel and squadron commander in the Civil Air Patrol. Service to my community and country has always been central to my life.

I am running for Secretary of State because Wyoming deserves experienced, principled leadership focused on serving the public. My priorities are protecting election integrity, modernizing business services, strengthening cybersecurity, and ensuring the Secretary of State's Office remains transparent, efficient, and accountable to the people of Wyoming.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Wyoming deserves elections that are secure, transparent, and worthy of the public's trust. As Wyoming's former Elections Director, I have firsthand experience administering statewide elections and understand both the opportunities and challenges facing our counties. I will continue the principle that voting should be easy for every eligible voter and cheating should be difficult. I support strong cybersecurity, close partnerships with county clerks, well-trained election workers, and compliance with state and federal law while protecting Wyoming's authority over its own elections.The Secretary of State's Office should be a partner in Wyoming's economic success. As a small business owner, I know government should be efficient, responsive, and predictable. I will modernize business services, improve customer service, reduce unnecessary delays, and support responsible innovation, including emerging technologies such as digital assets and blockchain where they benefit Wyoming. My goal is to make Wyoming the best state in the nation to start, grow, and keep a business.I believe public office is about service, not politics. Growing up on a Wyoming ranch, serving as a United States Navy Reserve officer, volunteering in the Civil Air Patrol, and working in state government have taught me that leadership means listening, solving problems, and putting people first. I will defend Wyoming's constitutional rights, respect the rule of law, protect private property, and lead with integrity, professionalism, and accountability while building on the strong foundation already established in the Secretary of State's Office.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The issues I am most passionate about reflect my lifelong commitment to service. As a United States Navy Reserve officer, supporting our service members, veterans, and military families is deeply personal. I believe those who have served our nation deserve leaders who will continue serving them.

I am also passionate about providing stable, conservative, and common-sense leadership in state government. Public office should be focused on professionalism, integrity, and solving problems rather than creating political division.

Finally, I believe Wyoming's future depends on secure elections, strong cybersecurity, and a business environment where entrepreneurs can succeed. Government should protect the public, safeguard sensitive information,