Kinney proposes exploring federal partnerships to make Wyoming a center for American drone research, testing and manufacturing
WYOMING — Lisa Kinney today called for exploring a Wyoming economic-development and national-security initiative aimed at making the state a center for American unmanned-aircraft research, testing and manufacturing.
“Instead of asking only what industries want to come to Wyoming, we should ask what industries Wyoming can build,” Kinney said.
Modern conflicts have demonstrated the growing importance of relatively inexpensive unmanned aircraft systems and the challenges created when costly defense systems must be used to counter them.
Kinney said the United States should apply those lessons by strengthening domestic research, manufacturing and supply chains for unmanned aircraft technologies.
Wyoming should compete to be part of it.
Kinney proposes examining federal partnerships that could bring together Wyoming businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges to develop a domestic drone-manufacturing ecosystem.
Wyoming’s wide-open spaces could offer opportunities for appropriate research and testing, while a growing unmanned-aircraft industry could support jobs in engineering, electronics, software, advanced manufacturing, fabrication, maintenance and supply-chain operations.
“I want Wyoming students to be able to graduate, find a good-paying technology or manufacturing job here and raise their families here,” Kinney said.
Kinney said Wyoming should pursue industries that complement the state’s existing strengths while creating opportunities beyond its traditional economic sectors.
That means connecting education, research, entrepreneurship and manufacturing.
“We have talented young people. We have wide-open spaces. We have a strong tradition of building, fixing and solving problems,” Kinney said. “Those are Wyoming advantages.”
A QUESTION OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES
Kinney said the proposal is also part of a broader conversation Congress should have about federal spending and national priorities.
The federal government faces major decisions about how taxpayer dollars should be invested. Traditional defense systems can cost billions of dollars, while rapidly evolving technologies are changing the economics of national defense.
“This isn’t a choice between national defense and Wyoming,” Kinney said. “The question is how America gets the greatest long-term return from the dollars taxpayers entrust to us.”
Kinney said federal investment in domestic unmanned-aircraft research and manufacturing could advance several national objectives at the same time: strengthening national security, rebuilding American manufacturing capacity, expanding domestic supply chains and creating skilled jobs.
“America should build more of the technology America needs,” Kinney said. “There is no reason Wyoming cannot help build it.”
“Wyoming can help feed America. Wyoming can help defend America. And Wyoming can build things America needs.”
Wyoming innovation. Wyoming manufacturing. Wyoming jobs.
Category: News
News from the Campaign Trail
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Why Can’t Drones be Built in Wyo?
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Big Horn Basin Tour Dates
Join Lisa Kinney and Jim Byrd as they make stops through the Big Horn Basin for meet & greet opportunities!
Thermopolis Sept 24, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Worland September 25, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Greybull September 26, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Powell September 27, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Cody September 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm
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People Ask and Lisa Answers
Here are some questions that are frequently asked of Lisa when she travels around Wyoming. Hopefully her answers will provide the information voters need when deciding which circle to color in at the voting booth on November 3rd.
Lisa Kinney was born and raised in Laramie and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming, her master’s degree from the University of Oregon and her law degree from the University of Wyoming. She was elected to the Wyoming State Senate from Laramie and served for ten years from 1985-1995 where she served as minority floor leader from 1993-1994.
Park County is comprised of more public land than any other county in the state and public lands remain an issue at the forefront of our readers’ minds, although opinions differ on how they should be managed. How would you exercise your position as a federal officeholder to steward Wyoming’s public lands?
- Public lands are our heritage, our livelihood and our responsibility. This is perhaps the most important issue as many of our current congressional reps are pushing bills to remove or transfer lands. I will engage with local communities to streamline processes to open and protect access to OUR public lands in a process already in place – not by selling or transferring the land. We must work with current landowners reasonably and do everything we can to protect our national forests and parks. We must maintain our right to give input.
How can Wyoming’s federal officeholders address the cost of living and housing in the state?
- I feel that removing tariffs and increasing international trade will be the first step to lowering the cost of living for our citizens. Taxing the wealthy is another way to improve services to everyone while lowering taxes for those making less than $100,000. Housing costs are so high and I will work to improve access for first-time home-buyers as well as renters.
A number of hospitals and care centers in Wyoming face financial stress, tight budget margins, and struggle with insurers. How, if at all, can the federal government support our rural healthcare providers?
- I want to bring back the ACA subsidies and then work toward Universal Healthcare for All. Every other country in the world provides healthcare for its citizens and it is unbelievable that the US cannot do the same. The health insurance industry is a mess and I will do everything I can to clean it up. The Big Beautiful Bill gave rural areas 5 years of help and then terminated the program. I would continue that very necessary contribution.
What is an issue that is unique to Wyoming that you would work to address if elected (e.g. mental health, energy dominance, etc)? Describe how you would work to achieve progress on this topic.
- Wyoming is in a crucial time with the cost of everything being so high. Healthcare, food and groceries as well as housing are rising every day and people’s wages are not keeping up. I want to make a difference in Washington by working for a better future for our citizens, not just in Wyoming, but across the country. I have written four books about the legal rights of the mentally ill. Money for these programs have been continually cut since 1977. I will work to bring back funding as well as expanding programs for everyone.
What experiences, traits, or actions distinguish you from your fellow candidates?
- The Constitution, the rule of law, and due process have been ignored by the current administration, in my opinion. I want to strengthen our rights under the Constitution by reaffirming the Voting Rights Act, putting some teeth in Civil Rights laws, getting rid of all violent ICE activities, honoring equal rights laws and taking other steps to put us on a solid future for our kids and grandkids.
Thank you for your support!
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Rural Healthcare is Basic to Wyoming
As a Wyoming State Senator in 1991, Lisa Kinney complained that rural health was ignored by the Senate Education and Health Committee during a meeting in Cheyenne. Senator Kinney called for the committee “to focus on rural community health issues prior to the upcoming budget session” (Laramie Daily Boomerang 10/10/1991). The article continued, stating that “In response to her call, the bipartisan legislative committee voted to ask the Legislative Management Council for two full meeting days for the entire interim committee to meet and hold hearings on rural health care topics.” Indeed, the Health Committee of both parties worked together to resolve issues facing Wyoming.
Previously, Senator Kinney sponsored and passed a bill allowing optometrists to prescribe medication. Dr. Sue Lowe, Laramie optometrist, asked her to sponsor this legislation to allow optometrists to provide cost-effective, essential, and accurate treatments for patients. Prior to Senator Kinney’s bill, if a patient saw an optometrist and needed medication, the patient had to get a second appointment with a family doctor for the prescription. “Passing my bill served rural patients because the optometrist could prescribe the medication immediately without the patient seeing a second doctor,” Kinney stated. “I will continue and am determined to help resolve rural health care issues when I am elected to the US House,” Kinney concluded.
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Election Interference?
Lisa Kinney is Concerned About Recent Election Interference by DOJ
Lisa Kinney is angry that that the DOJ sent a team of “observers” to Wyoming’s primary elections to analyze our voting procedures by monitoring poll workers in Cheyenne. Wyoming can handle its affairs better than the Feds at every turn. We have faith in the integrity of our hard-working County Clerks, and the excellent work they do. How much of our tax dollars did they waste on this trip? Because Lisa Kinney’s opponent turned over Wyoming’s detailed voter data immediately when asked by the Federal Government, Chuck Gray boasts that Wyoming was the first state to provide this information. Since that time more than 30 other states have sued the government to prevent handing over their own state’s voter information, saying they should not have to relinquish this, and they have prevailed. Even so, the Feds showed up in Cheyenne to question Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee and watch the voting. Governor Gordon called the monitors’ behavior “a bit aggressive” and “irregular.” Chuck Gray insisted to the Governor that the clerk had been notified, but she said that she only received notice on Election day, which is not sufficient time. This type of behavior indicates it is time to elect someone to the U.S. House of Representatives who is not subservient to federal indiscretion. We need a representative who is serious about doing the job rather than grandstanding for out-of-state, out-of-touch national groups. Lisa Kinney has represented the needs of Wyoming through the Wyoming State Senate, and she will continue to serve Wyoming with integrity and honesty when elected.
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Importing Foreign Beef is Not the Answer
Trump is planning to increase the amount of tariff-free beef from Argentina to lower hamburger prices by 25%. Ranchers oppose this action because of their high operating costs and low herd numbers. The number of cattle is low because of drought, wildfires, and livestock disease and the cost of diesel is outrageous with one rancher telling me it costs him $125 to fill up his truck. Fertilizer is expensive due to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. Lowering beef prices shouldn’t mean hurting Wyoming ranchers. Washington could help Wyoming ranchers solve the problem by rebuilding cattle herds, expanding local processing, and bringing back the Country of Origin legislation so consumers can identify American beef. “We can bring grocery prices down by increasing American production and competition – not by asking Wyoming ranchers to take the hit,” responded President Justin Tupper of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA). He continued, “You don’t put America first by putting U.S. cattle producers last.”
I will work to help American ranchers and residents by removing tariffs on everyday products as well as introducing legislation to bring back Country of Origin labeling. My goal is to help all consumers as soon as possible.
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Washington Needs Reexamined
I am joining a group of US Candidates in this election who are dedicated to stopping the corruption in Congress and increasing our accountability to you. With my participation, Wyoming will be the 41st state to take part in this bipartisan project after the election. The goals are to bring back the balance of powers to reestablish the three separate branches of government set forth by the Constitution – Executive, Judiciary, and Congressional. And then, increase accountability to the People. This group supports five issues I agree with, believing we must renew a government “by and for the people.” These issues are:
1) Congressional Term Limits of six terms in Congress (12 years), and two terms in the Senate (12 years).
2) Overturn “Citizens United” which would get unlimited corporate money out of politics including dark money. Montana is working on this and so should Wyoming;
3) A 5-year moratorium on lobbying for retired congressional reps. Although this only covers political lobbyists, other methods need to be examined for career lobbyists;
4) Prohibition of stock trading for members of Congress in office; and
5) A code of judicial ethics for the US Supreme Court to hold them accountable so the millions in gifts they might receive will be scrutinized or eliminated.
I am assured that this will be a bipartisan group from both parties, which is the only way that we can resolve issues for everyone and not just finger point and blame to freeze the strengths that make the US so strong.
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Our National Parks Are Not For Sale!
The proposed selling of a strip of Yosemite is “…so ridiculous, it makes you sick,” said Don Neubacher, a former Yosemite supervisor. “We must protect and preserve our public lands,” said Lisa Kinney, candidate for Wyoming’s US House seat speaking against the proposal which hasn’t yet occurred. “The federal government is slowly stripping and ruining our public lands through sales like this and other proposed bills.” According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the federal government would exchange Yosemite land for other property owned by Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a real estate investor. Neubacher indicated that a similar idea was proposed in the early 2000’s. It was rejected by the Park Service and also the court. Kingsbarn bought two parcels that directly border the park in early 2024 for $4 million through a Limited Liability Company and wants to connect this land with the purchase, according to the TV station KQED. Yosemite National Park was created in 1864 by President Theodore Roosevelt and is the fifth most visited National Park. It is considered a “shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life…” [National Park Service]. “We must stop the sale of our public lands to wealthy individuals,” Kinney continued, “it is not what the citizens of Wyoming want.” She concluded that her opponent Chuck Gray embraces Trump and supports public lands, both of which cannot occur simultaneously.
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Geothermal Energy Can Work!
My immediate goal when I am elected is to introduce funding for geothermal development using oil and gas techniques, infrastructure, and employees. Wyoming should join the four-state group, the Mountain West Geothermal Consortium. This group partnership was formed in May 2026 and includes Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. They are working to develop “underground clean energy.” Utah has received federal funds to create “Utah Forge,” an underground field laboratory which “has developed and refined enhanced geothermal using oil and gas techniques.” More information here. A primary need of geothermal is to find where the hot rocks exist and go below that. Drillers PanTerra Energy in Colorado dug 1,000 feet under the Aspen high school football field in its geothermal project which usually stops around 500 feet. Aspen will “use the new system to bring clean, low-carbon energy to school and administration buildings across its campus”, according to an article in the Colorado Sun. The funding for this project included federal and state grants and tax credits. Colorado also created an office that retrained coal workers. We must transition fossil fuel equipment, infrastructure and employees over time to geothermal for our great-grandchildren by creating and continuing congressional funding in these areas, which is what I will do.
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Data Center Concerns
I have developed a five-point legislative bill to address new Data Centers being considered throughout Wyoming. I hear or read about city councils and county commissioners making plans to possibly annex data centers into their areas. The Cheyenne City Council on August 10th approved the annexation of a 34-acre property for a data center development staging area according to Cap City News. The Laramie City Council and Albany County Commissioners met August 11th to look at options in both places, and while there is nothing large enough in Laramie’s city limits, there is in the county. Wyoming is cool, dry, and empty. Our kids need jobs. However, we do not have enough scientific information to fully analyze what these centers mean to our well-being. They should be required to go through the Industrial Siting Act, which they can now avoid by being annexed into an industrial park, or claiming the project is worth less than $250 million. An adept State Senator or Representative can fix this by adding the words “data center” into the required list. But as a member of Congress, I plan to introduce a bill that:
- All data centers must have closed loop systems;
- All discharge must be regulated to avoid toxic contamination of water sources;
- Companies must incur cost of increased energy so that the cost of electricity does not increase for citizens;
- Location of centers with set back of five miles from housing and neighborhoods and;
- A cap on noise operational limits.
I would propose a moratorium of six months to a year minimum for research in order to create regulations that determine what other issues exist and to work with other levels of government to protect our citizens. We are moving too fast on these possibly damaging projects.