Republican state senator endorses Democrat

10:25 a.m. Updated to add Cindy Hill's Republican endorsements

During political campaigns, candidate endorsements are common, but a few recent endorsements are a little unusual, including the endorsement of a Democratic candidate by a prominent Republican Park County state senator.

In addition, two prominent Wyoming political leaders have issued endorsements in the race for Park County clerk. Gov. Dave Freudental has officially endorsed Democratic candidate Kelly Jensen, while Republican Jerri Torczon has received the official endorsement of from U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.

While top Wyoming officials often express support for candidates in local elections, it is unusual for them to issue formal endorsements in local races.

An even more unusual endorsement was issued this week by Wyoming state Sen. Hank Coe of Cody, a Republican, in support of Mike Massie, the Democratic candidate for state superintendent of public instruction.

Coe, who is chairman of the Senate Education Committee, said in a release, “Education is not about being a Republican or Democrat. When it comes to the Superintendent of Public Instruction position, it is about who knows the issues and who is qualified for the job.”

Citing Massie’s work on educational issues as a member of the Wyoming Legislature, Coe said “There are few people I know that understand what it takes to make our schools better than Mike does.”

Massie’s ability to work with people is another important qualification for the office, Coe said.

Another Republican state senator, Bruce Burns of Sheridan, also endorsed Massie.

Though not unusual, Republican superintendent candidate Cindy Hill has racked up a host of GOP endorsements -- with Wyoming U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Enzi, 18 state representatives and six state senators (including Ray Peterson, R-Cowley) among them.

(Tribune reporter Don Amend wrote this post.)