Conservative Non-Tribal Member Wins Republican Nomination For The Reservation

Self-described conservative candidate Sarah Penn has won the Republican nomination for House District 33, centering on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

CM
Clair McFarland

August 17, 20221 min read

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Self-described conservative candidate Sarah Penn has won the Republican nomination for House District 33, centering on the Wind River Indian Reservation.  

Penn still has to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Andi LeBeau in the General Election to win the seat.  

This district is the only legislative district in Wyoming that must have a majority of racial-minority voters, by law. It’s about 67% American Indians.  

Penn was the only one of the three Republican contenders who is not a tribal member. She was challenged by Northern Arapaho tribal member Valaira Whiteman and Eastern Shoshone tribal member Wade LeBeau.  

She doubled her competitors’ votes combined, winning 842 votes to Whiteman’s 250 and LeBeau’s 138.

Penn said she was “pretty dang excited,” but also knew she had put in the legwork, and was grateful to those who helped her.  She added that there’s still a lot of work ahead heading into the November General Election.  

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Clair McFarland

Crime and Courts Reporter