Burkhart, Donald

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Donald Burkhart Jr. is a WY House Representative for House District 15 in Carbon and Sweetwater Counties and has served from 2011 to the present.  Burkhart has received a positive score for Representation and Integrity, and a negative score for Competence.  Therefore, he has been ranked as Limited Trust.

He is up for reelection in 2024.

“Defending the Wyoming and US Constitutions and the rights guaranteed by them is of prime importance to me.  This includes the rights of free speech, religion, assembly and to keep and bear arms.  I consistently push back against federal encroachment of our freedoms.”

 

From https://www.donburkhart.com/meet-don

Overall Burkhart earns a (+) for Representation.

Attendance

It appears that Burkhart missed four votes during 2023 General Session:

• 1/31/23 – Committee of the Whole vote for HB125;
• 2/21/23 – 3rd Reading votes on SF38; SF61; SF84.

Public Conduct

Burkhart appears to behave appropriately in public and to the public.

Sponsorship History

Burhart’s webpage does not show 2023 bills.

In 2022 Burkhart was the primary sponsor of 2 bills and co-sponsored 13 bills.  Favored bill topics appear to be energy related.  See Burkhart’s legislative webpage for more.

Committee Assignments

2023-House Minerals, Business & Economic Development – Chairman
2023-House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources
2023-Energy Council
2023-Enhanced and Improved Oil Recovery Commission
2023-UW Energy Resource Council

Burkhart scored a (–) for Constitutional Competence with an average of 67.85% on the constitutional issues listed below.

For more on the bills used to analyze these scores click here.  Special hat-tip goes out to Evidence Based Wyoming for use of their statistical tool to generate the following vote scores:

Conflicts

Still being assessed…

Burkhart disclosed that he is owner of Don Burkhart Consulting.  Is it safety oriented as he claims his occupation is?  Without knowing the nature of his consulting business it is impossible to determine a conflict.

Employment/Income

According to his legislative webpage, Burkhart is employed as a safety engineer.  According to Burkhart’s 2023 State Elected Officials Financial Disclosure available at Wyofile, he reported the following:

• Owner of Don Burkhart Gunsmithing business
• Owner of Don Burkhart Consulting business
• Income earned from “Any security or interest earnings”

Memberships/Civic Organizations

Professional Member, American Society of Safety Engineers
Member, Council of State Governments West – Fiscal Affairs, 2014
Member, International System Safety Society, 2005-2010
Chairman, Petroleum Association of Wyoming Safety Committee, 2009-2010
Board Member, Wyoming-Montana Safety Council, 2000-2002, 2009-2010
President of the Board of Directors, Wyoming-Montana Safety Committee, 2002-2009
Member, Wyoming State Fire Marshal Advisory Council, 1987-1989
(Source: Vote Smart)

Campaign Contributions

The table below shows all campaign contributions reported by the WY Secretary of State for Donald E. Burkhart Jr.; Donald Burkhart; Donald Edgar Burkhart Jr.

From 2010 to 2022 Burkhart has received 206 contributions that total approximately $95,375.66.  With the exception of approximately 50 donations, all others came from PACs &/or Campaign Committees.  The total amount from PACs &/or Campaign Committees was approximately $60,331.50, which is approximately 63% of all contributions received.

Noteworthy contributions:

• $15,000 total from Wyoming Hope (RINO donor)
• $100 from Diamond Free Enterprise PAC (RINO donor)
• $1,200 total from True family dynasty members
• $5,950 total from ESG compliant energy company PACs:
  • $3,500 total from DECPAC/Devon Energy
  • $750 total from MDU Resources Group Good Government Fund
  • $500 from NextEra PAC
  • $1,200 total from Pacific Power/PACIFICORP
• $600 total from Common Values PAC (Alexandria)
• $1,000 total from CONPAC Contractors PAC
• $500 from Prosperity and Commerce PAC

Click the arrows at the top of columns to sort the data by name, date, $ amount, etc.  (Data is publicly available records obtained from the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Wyoming’s Campaign Finance Information System)

According to Evidence Based Wyoming generated data:

• Burkhart scored a 0.0% as a Fiscal Conservative for 2023 legislative session
• Burkhart earned the Very Liberal Political Leaning Ranking for 2023 legislative session
• Burkhart scored a 44.1% as a Budget Conservative for 2022 legislative session
• Burkhart earned the Moderate Political Leaning Ranking for 2022 legislative session
• Burkhart earned the Moderate Political Leaning Ranking for 2021 legislative session
• Burkhart earned the Moderate Political Leaning Ranking for 2020 legislative session
• Burkhart earned the Moderate Political Leaning Ranking for 2019 legislative session
• Overall, Burkhart has scored a 96.6% for Pro-Life Voting

According to WyoRINO:

• Burkhart’s Index Score for 2023 legislative session was 30%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 30% of the time.
• Burkhart’s Index Score for 2022 legislative session was 30%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 30% of the time.
• Burkhart’s Index Score for 2021 legislative session was 40%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 40% of the time.
• Burkhart’s Index Score for 2020 legislative session was 40%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 40% of the time.
• Burkhart’s Index Score for 2019 legislative session was 40%, meaning he adhered to the Republican Party Platform 40% of the time.