Michael J. Sullivan (Wyoming politician)

Michael J. Sullivan (born c. 1943/1944) was an American politician who served as the Wyoming Labor Commissioner and was active in local politics in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

For other people with the same name, see Michael Sullivan.

Michael J. Sullivan
Wyoming Labor Commissioner
In office
1983–1995
Preceded byVernie Martin
Member of the Cheyenne, Wyoming city council
In office
1976–1980
Personal details
Bornc. 1943/1944
Political partyDemocratic
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
RankColonel

Early life and education

Michael J. Sullivan was born c. 1943/1944. He graduated from Louisiana University with a bachelor's degree in business and gradated from the University of Northern Colorado with a master's degree in business. He served in the United States Air Force and retired as a colonel.[1]

Career

Department of Labor

From 1970 to 1975, Sullivan served as a Wage and Hour Inspector for the Wyoming Department of Labor. On May 14, 1975, Wyoming Labor Commissioner Vernie Martin announced the appointment of Sullivan as Deputy Labor Commissioner.[2][3]

In 1983, Martin was put on trial for charges of attempting to defraud Wyoming through a false travel voucher. Sullivan was selected by Governor Edgar Herschler to served as acting Labor Commissioner and served until his retirement in 1995.[4][5]

Local politics

In 1976, Sullivan filed to run for one of two city council seats in Cheyenne, Wyoming, from Ward 3.[6] In the primary election he placed first ahead of incumbent council members, Delmer Woods and Victoria Anderson.[7] In the general election he and Carol E. Clark placed first and second defeating both of the incumbents.[8] In 1980, he ran in Cheyenne's mayoral election, but placed fourth behind incumbent Mayor Don Erickson, former Mayor Bill Nation, and City Council President John Rogers.[9][10] In 1982, he unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Cheyenne city council.[11]

In 1977, the Cheyenne city council voted in favor of a maximum 10¢ per hour on-street parking fee. Sullivan opposed the fee and instead support an optional sales tax.[12] In 1980, he launched a petition drive to place a referendum on a mineral severance tax onto the ballot with the support of the AFL–CIO and the Wyoming Employee Associations.[13]

Later life

In 2002, Sullivan announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for the Wyoming House of Representatives in the 8th district.[14] He won in the Democratic primary, but lost in the general election to incumbent Republican Representative Larry Meuli.[15][16]

Electoral history
1976 Cheyenne, Wyoming city council Ward 3 primary[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Non-partisan Mike Sullivan 1,621 24.56%
Non-partisan Delmer Woods (incumbent) 1,495 22.65%
Non-partisan Carol E. Clark 1,391 21.08%
Non-partisan Victoria Anderson (incumbent) 1,025 15.53%
Non-partisan R. J. Darling 458 6.49%
Non-partisan Rudy Karen 435 6.59%
Non-partisan James M. Kubalanza 175 2.65%
Total votes 6,600 100.00%
1976 Cheyenne, Wyoming city council Ward 3 election[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Non-partisan Mike Sullivan 3,559 31.18%
Non-partisan Carol E. Clark 3,234 28.33%
Non-partisan Delmer Woods (incumbent) 2,700 23.65%
Non-partisan Victoria Anderson (incumbent) 1,923 16.84%
Total votes 11,416 100.00%
1980 Cheyenne, Wyoming mayoral primary[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Non-partisan Don Erickson (incumbent) 4,338 30.92%
Non-partisan Bill Nation 3,439 24.51%
Non-partisan John Rogers 3,375 24.05%
Non-partisan Mike Sullivan 2,629 18.74%
Non-partisan Carl Johnson 251 1.79%
Total votes 14,032 100.00%
2002 Wyoming House of Representatives 8th district Democratic primary[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Michael J. Sullivan 557 51.48%
Democratic Joe Barrett 525 48.52%
Total votes 1,082 100.00%
2002 Wyoming House of Representatives 8th district election[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Larry Meuli (incumbent) 2,126 54.68%
Democratic Michael J. Sullivan 1,762 45.32%
Total votes 3,888 100.00%

References
  1. "Michael J. Sullivan biography". Casper Star-Tribune. August 18, 2002. p. 75. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Firemen dispute contract". Casper Star-Tribune. July 3, 1973. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Commissioner names deputy". Casper Star-Tribune. May 18, 1975. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Hearing set for ex-labor commissioner on travel voucher charge". Casper Star-Tribune. September 30, 1983. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "State hospital superintendent, labor official retire". Casper Star-Tribune. June 28, 1995. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Five seek Cheyenne mayor's post". Casper Star-Tribune. August 3, 1976. p. 11. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Nation faced Erickson for mayor". Casper Star-Tribune. September 16, 1976. p. 33. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "1974 election results". Casper Star-Tribune. November 4, 1976. p. 25. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Sullivan running for mayor". Casper Star-Tribune. September 9, 1980. p. 14. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "1980 mayoral primary results". Casper Star-Tribune. September 11, 1980. p. 19. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Labor official resigns over endorsement". Casper Star-Tribune. November 20, 1982. p. 15. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Parking Fee Okd". Casper Star-Tribune. March 30, 1977. p. 35. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Tax initiative support said strong". Casper Star-Tribune. May 6, 1980. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Democrats Barrett, Sullivan eyeing House District 8 seat". Casper Star-Tribune. July 29, 2002. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "2002 primary results". Casper Star-Tribune. August 21, 2002. p. 15. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "2002 election results". Casper Star-Tribune. November 6, 2002. p. 14. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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