Joseph D. Selby

Who was Joseph D. Selby?

Joseph David Selby was a Cheyenne lawyer who served as municipal judge from 1978–1982 and as a Republican member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from District 41 in Laramie County from 1995-1997.

Selby was born in Monaca in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, west of Pittsburgh, to Frank G. Selby and Nellie Selby. He earned his law degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1975 and his MBA from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. He was active in the alumni associations of both institutions.

An attorney in private practice, Selby specialized in real estate and bankruptcy law. He was appointed city judge by Mayor Don Erickson and confirmed by the Cheyenne City Council. He was succeeded as judge by Douglas Munch. Selby won his legislative seat in 1994 by defeating the Democrat Mac McGraw. However, Selby was unable to cement a hold on the district and was unseated in 1996 by McGraw, 1,893-1,651. Selby's father died four days after Selby lost his legislative race. Selby attempted a comeback in 1998 but lost by an even larger margin to McGraw, 1,751-1,185. The seat was subsequently held by the Democrat Ken Esquibel.