Cheyenne businessman Sam Galeotos is touting economic growth and efficiency in state government as he joins the field of candidates for Governor of Wyoming in 2018.

He is currently the Executive Chairman of Green House Data in Cheyenne. His background includes being an executive with Worldspan Travel and Cheap Tickets Inc.,  as well as a long business career with several other companies.

Appearing on KGAB radio in Cheyenne on Wednesday morning, Galeotos said he is "averse to the discussion on taxes" as a way to make up for the state's projected funding shortfall over the next few years.

Galeotos argued economic growth centered around the state's minerals, travel and tourism, and agriculture industries will erase the projected deficit more effectively than tax increases.

He said that if he is elected he would encourage economic growth by simplifying the permitting process for energy development, promoting Wyoming's outdoor recreation industry to boost spending in the tourism sector, and promoting agricultural innovation.

He said the other key to meeting the budget challenges faced by the state government is to implement the findings of a pair of efficiency studies ordered by the legislature in recent years. Galeotos said a study ordered by the legislature in 2017 identified potential savings of $200 million, and he thinks phase two of the study, which was ordered by lawmakers recently will identify at least another $200 million or more that can be saved.

He said that if he is elected one of his first acts will be to begin finding ways to implement the findings of those studies.

Galeotos, in general, described himself as a "pro-life, pro-family, pro-Second Amendment conservative" and ''a man of faith." You can learn more about Galeotos at his campaign website.

He is the fifth Republican to formally announce that he is running for Governor of Wyoming in 2018, joining attorney Harriet Hageman, Wyoming Treasurer Mark Gordon, physician and businessman Taylor Haynes, and Sheridan businessman Bill Dahlin.

One potential GOP candidate, Wyoming Senate President Eli Bebout, announced last week that he will not be running for governor this year.

So far only one Democrat has formally announced she is running for governor, is Cheyenne attorney, and former state legislator, Mary Throne.

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