Wyoming congressional candidate Ryan Greene says as a Democrat he has more in common with former Wyoming governors Dave Freudenthal and Mike Sullivan than he does with Hillary Clinton.

Greene says there is no denying that Clinton at one point vowed to put coal miners out of business, although he does add "it was a piece of the statement."

"I'm not going to stick up for Mrs. Clinton," Greene says. "Politicians say anything to get elected."

But Greene says people shouldn't assume that means all Democrats are against the coal industry. He points to a coalition of Democrats known as "coal blue" who are supporters of the coal industry.

Greene specifically points to West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin as a Democratic lawmaker who is a strong supporter of the coal industry.

Greene says his views are similar to Freudenthal and Sullivan in that he supports the second amendment  and the energy industry.

Greene says he supported Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination, largely because of Sanders' stand on veteran's issues.

Greene says he thinks the national Democratic party needs people such as himself to challenge its views on certain issues, especially those dealing with energy.

Greene says one of the major things that sets him apart from his GOP opponent, Liz Cheney, is his willingness to "reach across the aisle" and work with members of both parties, as well as his willingness to challenge his own party when needed.

Greene, a Rock Springs resident, is vying with Cheney for Wyoming's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The winner will replace GOP Rep. Cynthia Lummis, who is not running for re-election.

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