Christopher Boswell
Christopher Boswell | |
|---|---|
| Wyoming Public Service Commissioner | |
| Assumed office October 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Mary Throne |
| Minority Leader of the Wyoming House of Representatives | |
| In office January 9, 2001 – March 13, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Louise Ryckman |
| Succeeded by | Wayne Reese |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from the 39th district | |
| In office January 4, 1993 – March 13, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | John Hastert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 or 1957 (age 68–69) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kathryn |
| Education | University of Wyoming (B.A., M.A.) |
| Occupation | Tavernkeeper |
Christopher Boswell is an American Democratic politician from the state of Wyoming who currently serves as a member of the Wyoming Public Service Commission. Boswell previously served as a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003, and as Minority Leader from 2001 to 2003.
Early career
Boswell attended the University of Wyoming, receiving his bachelor's degree in journalism in 1980. He was the news director for KUGR and subsequently returned to the university, receiving his master's degree in 1989.[1] He owned and operated the Embassy Bar in Green River.[2]
In 1988, Boswell ran for the Green River City Council against incumbent Councilman John Anastos, and lost the election by a single vote. Following the election, Boswell challenged the outcome, arguing that the result was in question because an unregistered voter had unlawfully cast a ballot. Several voters filed a petition to seek a special election,[3] but the petition was dismissed several weeks later.[4]
Wyoming House of Representatives
In 1992, after elections for the Wyoming House of Representatives were converted from county-level representation to districts, Boswell announces that he would run in the 39th district, based in southwestern Sweetwater County.[2] He was elected unopposed in the primary and general election.[5]
Boswell was re-elected without opposition in 1994,[6] and was elected caucus chairman following the election.[7] He was re-elected unopposed in 1996,[8] 1998,[9] and 2000.[10] After the 2000 election, Boswell was elected Minority Leader, succeeding retiring State Representative Louise Ryckman.[11] He was re-elected without opposition in 2002.[12]
Post-legislative career
In 2003, Boswell resigned from the state House,[13] and was appointed as chief of staff to Governor Dave Freudenthal.[14] Boswell served until 2011, following the election of Republican Matt Mead as governor in 2010. He was appointed by Mead to serve as the director of the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information in 2011.[15]
In 2012, Boswell was appointed the vice president for governmental and community affairs of the University of Wyoming,[16] and retired in 2018.[17] He was one of the three finalists for the interim presidency of the university following Laurie Nichols's departure in 2019,[18] but Neil Theobald was ultimately selected.[19] Boswell temporarily resumed his role as vice president in 2019, returning "to help as the board of trustees convene a search for a permanent president."[20]
In 2025, upon the resignation of Mary Throne from the Wyoming Public Service Commission, Governor Mark Gordon appointed Boswell to the commission.[21]
References
- ^ "Commissioner Chris Boswell". Wyoming Public Service Commission. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ a b "Green River man announces for House". Casper Star-Tribune. May 15, 1992. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Collins, Katharine (November 18, 1988). "Petition filed to void Green River council election". Casper Star-Tribune. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Petition over Green River race dropped". Casper Star-Tribune. December 22, 1988. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Democratic legislators assigned to committee". Casper Star-Tribune. November 17, 1992. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "County by county results". Casper Star-Tribune. November 10, 1994. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Drake, Kerry (December 4, 1994). "Applegate, Ryckman to lead Democrats". Casper Star-Tribune. p. A1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Collins, Katharine (November 10, 1996). "Two-party system emerging in Sweetwater". Casper Star-Tribune. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legislative Candidates Abstracts" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. 1996. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ Gearino, Jeff (October 29, 2000). "Education takes spotlight". Casper Star-Tribune. p. G7. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Luckett, Bill (December 3, 2000). "Cathcart, Boswell to lead Democrats". Casper Star-Tribune. p. A1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gearino, Jeff (August 21, 2002). "Olsen, Shivler neck and neck". Casper Star-Tribune. p. B1, B2. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boswell steps down". Casper Star-Tribune. March 13, 2003. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Barron, Joan (March 29, 2003). "Noble new chief of Wyoming parks". Casper Star-Tribune. p. B1. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mead chooses 2 agency directors". Casper Star-Tribune. January 7, 2011. p. A4. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wyo politics have their own brand of influence peddling". Casper Star-Tribune. February 9, 2014. p. A9. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Victor, Jeff (February 20, 2018). "UW VP of government, community affairs to retire". Laramie Boomerang. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ Klamann, Seth (May 18, 2019). "UW board to vote Monday". Casper Star-Tribune. p. A2. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Watson, Tennessee Jane (May 20, 2019). "University Of Wyoming Names New Acting President". Wyoming Public Radio. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ Bendtsen, Daniel (July 4, 2019). "Mai, Boswell returning to UW". Laramie Boomerang. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Gov. Mark Gordon appoints Christopher Boswell to serve on Wyoming Public Service Commission". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. October 2, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2026.