04/18/2026
Former deputy running for clerk of district court
Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2026 8:05 am
By Zac Taylor
Lynell Preston has known for a while she wanted to become Park County Clerk of District Court. Now, with current clerk Debra Carroll not running again, the former second deputy clerk has announced her intent to run for the position.
Preston, who is currently a legal assistant for Thompson Law in Cody, began working at district court in 2005.
“It was a very big learning experience. But every aspect of it, I just loved,” she told the Tribune on Thursday. “I loved working with people. I loved the community aspect.”
She said she intended to run for the position four years ago, but when Carroll, the first deputy, determined to run, Preston said she deferred to her coworker’s seniority. This time around though, after working for a time in circuit court and then “on the other side of the counter” at a local law firm, she’s ready to take on the role.
“I take pride in the important role of the Clerk of District Court office, and with my experience I am committed to serving the people of Park County,” Preston said in a release. “I will lead by example — focusing on teamwork to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, professionalism, accountability, efficiency, and service with integrity.”
Preston served all over the district court office in her more than 17 years in the office, from handling civil and probate docketing to serving as a backup to the clerk and first deputy.
Cody Regional Health
She said she’s a “glass half full” type of person and has always tried to bring optimism into what can often be interactions with unhappy people.
“I always look for the positive way and just helping the public and helping them understand, because District Court, going to court, is a scary thing for people, and I want to try to make it to where it's not a scary place for people to come in,” she said. “They can come in to see a friendly face and explain, like child support, or, you know, if there's a criminal case or a divorce case, whatever, they can come into that office and be comfortable speaking to me or one of the staff and just be not afraid to come in.”
She said her time at Thompson Law has been beneficial in that vein as well, as she’s had a chance to see what it’s like to be someone working with district court.
“It has definitely broadened my view so that way I can see both aspects of it,” she said. “I know how it all works, which is really a good experience to have.”
Now the lifelong Wyomingite and 26-year county resident is ready to dive back into the public sector. She’s committed to maintaining accurate, timely, and efficient court records in accordance with Wyoming statute, while ensuring the office remains responsive, transparent, and accountable to residents of Park County.
Preston has been married to her husband, Mark, for 21 years and said she’s a conservative Republican, dedicated to public service and strengthening the Clerk of District Court’s Office for the community it serves.
