JACKSON, Wyo. — Peter Long today announced his candidacy for the Teton County Board of Commissioners. A Jackson Hole native, Long said he has pledged to take on the critical issues facing working families and put the community’s needs ahead of rigid bureaucracy and regulations.
“I am running for County Commissioner to represent our hard-working families,” Long said. “As a husband, father, and small business owner, I know what it’s like working multiple jobs while constantly struggling with rising housing, healthcare and childcare costs, only to see the Jackson Hole dream slip further and further out of reach.”
A fourth-generation Jackson Hole resident, Long has extensive, on the job leadership experience. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he served on the National Security Council across two presidential administrations before transitioning into the private sector.
As a marketing and public relations consultant, Long works closely with local businesses across a range of issues, while serving on the boards of the Teton County Fair and Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding.
“As your Commissioner, I will fight for more working-class neighborhoods that offer affordable housing and rental options. I’ll work on real transportation solutions that reduce congestion and make our roads safer. And I will partner with the private sector to foster a climate where businesses and workers can succeed,” he said.
Commissioner Mark Barron says Long’s experience and qualifications will bring leadership and vision to the Board of Commissioners.
“Peter is smart, energetic and deeply committed. His roots in the valley combined with his ability to confront the big issues are exactly what we need to get results. I look forward to working with Peter,” Barron added.
Recognizing the looming health and economic crisis from COVID-19, Long emphasized the need to make local government nimbler and more adaptive to changing community needs. That means modifying burdensome rules and restrictions, partnering with the private sector and building consensus around pragmatic ideas that put residents first.
“The coronavirus has put a significant strain on our workers, jobs and small businesses,” Long shared. “But this is also a chance to build a stronger, more vibrant community that creates opportunity for all hard-working families and individuals. It will take fresh perspective and leadership to make the system less beholden to a rulebook and more accountable to those who are working hardest to call Jackson Hole home.”
Long pointed to the importance of shoring up divisions to get businesses open again, get people back to work and tackle the community’s biggest challenges.
“The issues we face are not Democrat or Republican issues—they are Jackson Hole issues. I’m running to represent everyone in Teton County.”
Two seats are coming open on the BCC—Greg Epstein and Natalie D. Macker. Epstein has announced he will not seek reelection. Macker, currently the board chair, announced her bid for another four years earlier in the year.
