Chris Rothfuss

Rothfuss was born in Ann Arbor, and moved with his family to Marquette, Michigan, in 1976, and finally settled in Casper, Wyoming, in 1985. He attended Natrona County High School, where he graduated in 1990. Rothfuss then attended the University of Wyoming, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in international studies in 1994; he then returned to the University of Wyoming, receiving a master's degree in chemical engineering in 1996. In 2002, Rothfuss graduated from the University of Washington with both a master's degree in applied physics and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.

Following graduation, he took a position as a Science and Technology Diplomacy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and then joined the United States Department of State, where he was the U.S. lead for nanotechnology foreign policy, and delegate to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. His expertise has provided technology solutions that have resulted in over 25 patent applications and 15 granted patents ranging from 3d printing to augmented reality to energy storage; and worked as a chemical engineer on enhanced oil recovery projects around the world. After his family moved back to Wyoming, he began teaching courses in political science and nanotechnology at the University of Wyoming.

Dr. Rothfuss has been the Senate Minority Leader of the Wyoming Legislature since 2013. First elected to the Wyoming State Senate in 2010, he represents Senate District 9 in Laramie, Wyoming. The senator also co-chairs the Wyoming Blockchain Select Committee and serves as the ranking member of the Education Committee, the Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, the Management Council, and numerous other task forces.

In 2010, Rothfuss ran to succeed State Senator Mike Massie. He defeated Jodi Guerin in the Democratic primary with 61% of the vote, and was elected without opposition in the general election.

He ran for re-election to the Wyoming State Senate to represent District 9. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018. His current term ends on January 2, 2023.

While serving in the Senate, Rothfuss joined with Republican State Senator Hank Coe to sponsor legislation that would require "every Wyoming high school student to attend school through the 12th grade or until their 18th birthday, unless a parent agreed otherwise", which was prompted by the revelation that, although Wyoming spends nearly $16,000 per student, it has a low graduation rate.[1] Additionally, Rothfuss suggested amending the Hathaway scholarship restrictions to "allow University of Wyoming summer school students to use the fund to pay for 3 credit hour classes."[2] For the 2013–2014 legislative term, Rothfuss was selected by Democrats in the Senate to serve as the Senate Democratic Leader, and, because his party is in the minority, the Minority Leader.

Rothfuss is a Visiting Assistant Professor for the Honors College, an Adjunct Professor of International Studies, and the Director of the UW Summer High School Institute. He has taught upper division UW Honors courses since 2007, including classes in Diplomacy & Negotiations, the Future of Nanotechnology, and Ideation, Innovation & Invention.

In 2008, Rothfuss announced that he would challenge two-term Republican Senator Mike Enzi. He defeated Al Hamburg in the Democratic primary with 62% of the vote. In the general election, however, Enzi defeated Rothfuss, receiving 74% of the vote to Rothfuss's 24%.

• Rothfuss for Senate
• Wyoming State Senate - Chris Rothfuss