Wyoming State Senator Evie Brennan was born and raised in Wyoming. She attended the University of Wyoming where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. After graduating from collage, Senator Brennan returned to her home town of Cheyenne, WY, where she met and married her husband. The two have been married 17 years and have 4 children age 10, 8, 6, and 3. Along with being a wife and mother, and serving as a State Senator, Evie works part time as an ICU nurse.
[Maureen McInerney, WPLN]: Tell us a little bit about your decision to run. What motivated you, and what did you hope to accomplish in office?
[Senator Evie Brennan]: I have wanted to be in the legislature since I was 5 years old; however, I knew I was supposed to be a nurse. Honestly, I didn’t think it would ever happen. In 2022 I took my oldest daughter to our state capital so she could see our government at work. As I was sitting in the gallery, I had the same feeling that I did as a little girl when my mom took me to the state capital: “I am suppose to be down.” I had a couple of unexpected conversations that day with people about getting involved in government and I couldn’t shake this idea that I should run for office. As I thought about running for office, I heavily considered the impact on my four children both if I ran and if I didn’t run. If I ran, I would risk being away from my children and impacting their childhood. If I didn’t run, I was leaving their future to others. In the end I knew that if I got to the end of my life and I hadn’t done everything I could to protect my children’s future, I would regret that most. My children are my biggest motivation. I want to leave a better Wyoming for them.
What was that conversation like with your family as you were making this decision?
My oldest daughter was very supportive and my biggest fan. I knew that it would impact her the most so it was important that she was part of the decision process. My boys were a bit clueless and asked if I could make a law that we don’t need money to buy things. My husband was supportive but skeptical and my parents thought I was crazy. I guess you could say I got a mixed bag of responses and reactions. However, by the time I started campaigning, my entire family was on board, and everyone helped out.
Do your kids participate in any aspects of your campaign? How about now that you are in office?
I believe that children should be able to be involved in what we as adults do. Each one of my kids spent at least a day and some spent the better part of the summer campaigning with me. Since taking office, they have also spent time at the capital with me during session, and instead of getting a babysitter, I often take them with me to short meetings.
Were there any difficult situations that you had to overcome in regards to balancing your public service and family life?
If the COVID-19 pandemic did anything for me, it was help me put my priorities into perspective. Between the pandemic and filing for election, I listened to many books. The two that were most influential in helping me create the physically, mentally and emotionally space to be ready to step up the call of office were Essentialism by Greg McKEown and Dream Big by Bob Goff. Due to these two books, I had created the time and space in my life needed to run for office.
What advice would you give, or a piece of wisdom you wish you’d known?
Learn how to say no to the good things, so you can say yes to the best things. If you have children, look at how they can be an asset to what you are doing, not a burden. They are sometimes the wisest and smartest among us. Finally, we aren’t meant to do big things alone. Build a support network around you of family and friends that can help and support you in your endeavors.
How are you celebrating Mother’s Day this year?
I get to work this year on Mother’s Day. My children are used to me working on holidays and weekends. We make up for it by seizing the weekends and holidays I do have off.
Thank you to Senator Brennan for sharing your story!