CASPER — One of the greatest concerns for the Wyoming Democratic Party about the upcoming election is not only growing its own ranks in a supermajority Republican state, but also the continuing growth of representation by the farther right Wyoming Freedom Caucus in the state House.
The Democratic Party held its 2024 state convention Saturday at the Lyric Theater in Casper, an event that was chaired by state Rep. Ken Chestek, D-Laramie, one of the seven Democrats in the 93-member Wyoming Legislature. Chestek made the Freedom Caucus a focus of his speech, saying the group is “dangerous” and wants to “turn back the clock” on many rights in the state, an effort he said needs to be defeated.
“They are a threat,” Chestek said. “We’ve seen what they can do and what they want to do.”
Not considered a threat to Chestek are other state Republicans, who he referred to as “normal.” Chestek said he works with these legislators on bills “all the time” due to the supermajority Republicans hold and the political realities that come with that. Chestek believes there needs to be more moderate and centrist representation statewide, which he believes represents the majority view of the state’s residents.
“I’m not opposed to Republicans generally,” he said. “I’m opposed to the far-right wing policies of the Freedom Caucus.”
Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, chairman of the Freedom Caucus, responded that he finds this position from Democrats telling. Many conservatives have expressed a belief that there are many Republicans not adhering to their party’s platform.
“It is interesting that they have not been concerned with the growth of the establishment Republicans to a super majority in the past,” Bear said. “Makes one wonder why.”
Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto said he’s also very concerned about the Freedom Caucus gaining more seats in, and possibly control of, the House. Although there were very conservative elements in the Legislature when he served from 2009-2012, Barbtuo said there was nothing equivalent to the power of what’s held by the Freedom Caucus today.
“I’m very concerned, and I think a lot of Wyoming should be too,” he said.
Don’t Rely On Wyoming Caucus
Bear said he only expects his group to grow as more people become familiar with it.
“The Democrat Party has drifted so far left they have abandoned their constituents in Wyoming,” he said. “It is no surprise that the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, organized by citizens to give Wyomingites a voice, has risen in popularity year after year.”
It’s an interesting stance that may be more a commentary on the current state of politics in America and the larger split within the Republican Party than the state of the Wyoming Democratic Party. The Republican Party has in many ways become split between its farther right and more moderate camps, along with support and opposition to former President Donald Trump.
The Freedom Caucus has been vocal about its goal to take over a majority of Republican seats in the House in the upcoming election. About 14 months prior to Saturday’s Democratic Party event, the Freedom Caucus held a town hall in Casper where the group was clear about its goal to add 10 more seats to its roughly 26-legislator membership.
A group of Republicans known as the Wyoming Caucus formed in 2023 to oppose the Freedom Caucus. Chestek said depending on this group to stop the growth of the Freedom Caucus is not enough.
“We need to do some work too,” he said. “We can’t count on the other Republicans to do this work.”
There are many races throughout the state where there is no Democrat candidate. Barbuto said although Democrats consider the Wyoming Caucus members much closer to being allies, his party won’t support any Republican candidates in the upcoming election even where no Democrat is running.
To some extent, there’s a change of focus afoot within the Wyoming Democratic Party.
At the WDP’s 2022 convention, certain party members issued tearful pleas for the party to find a way to grow its membership in the Legislature. The greater focus this time may be growing Democratic Party ideals through different avenues, an effort already being championed by some local county parties throughout the state, regularly testifying at local city council and county commission meetings.
“We know that building our party is not just about winning elections, but about making a difference in the lives of those who feel unseen and unheard,” Barbuto said.
Democrats’ Perspective
There are 17 Democrats running for the state Legislature this election cycle, but none in the northern portion of the state. Of this group, five are incumbents. Two candidates will be running directly against legislators aligned with the Freedom Caucus who have no challengers in the Republican primary.
“We need to support our Democrats up and down the ballot, especially those who are going up against the Freedom Caucus people,” Chestek said. “We need to defeat the Freedom Caucus.”
Barbuto said the state party put extensive effort into recruiting candidates this spring. Some of these filings, like U.S. Senate candidate Scott Morrow, came at the 11th hour before the filing deadline at 5 p.m. Friday.
“We worked very hard between the county parties and state party,” he said. “It’s difficult, you’re asking people to give up a good portion of their time and energy. Putting their name on the ballots is incredibly appreciated.”
For Barbuto, being able to retain the party’s five seats in the Wyoming House and even more ideally, gain just one seat, would be a win for the party. The last time the party grew its membership in the Wyoming Legislature was 2014.
“The Wyoming Democratic Party should be concerned that their own membership and status as a major party in the Cowboy State is in jeopardy,” Bear said. “As the Wyoming Freedom Caucus works hard to ensure that politics as usual are exposed and defeated, we expect the Wyoming Democratic Party to become more and more hysterical about of this transparency.”
As of Saturday, there was only one contested Democratic primary race in the state, something party leaders said is not expected to continue as one of the Democratic candidates in that race is expected to drop the campaign.
Chestek said he’d support having a primary challenger, as it would give more exposure to his campaign for the general election.
What About Biden?
There weren't too many mentions of President Joe Biden at the state convention Saturday, although DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, speaking virtually in a pre-recorded message, mentioned how the president’s infrastructure bill has provided a $3.9 billion investment in 214 projects for Wyoming.
Although most Democrats aren’t completely satisfied with Biden’s job performance, no criticism of him was offered Saturday. This is possibly spurred by the strong distaste for former President Donald Trump among Democratic Party members.
On Saturday, the party passed by a large margin a resolution condemning the Wyoming congressional delegation’s support of Trump after his conviction earlier this week. Barbuto said he considers the current delegation the worst in state history, drawing a short applause from the audience.
“I support this resolution because Donald J. Trump is a man of his convictions, all 34 of them,” Laramie County delegate Jason Bloomberg said, drawing laughter.
Bloomberg made it clear he believes the time is now for the party to rally around Biden because of Trump’s reelection bid. There is no alternate Democrat candidate of significance remaining in the presidential race at this time.
“We need to find a way to maintain our current direction so we can elect Joe Biden,” Bloomberg said. “We cannot afford another four years of Trump.”
Cheyenne resident Kyle “El” Cameron, who’s running for Congress and will likely face U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman in the general election, was even more pointed. Hageman has been supported by Trump, and she has endorsed his reelection campaign.
“Let’s not forget that she is aligned with former President Donald traitor Trump,” Cameron said.
Sheridan resident Greg Haas voted against the resolution, saying it was too long and wouldn’t reach the attention of its intended targets.
“The people who need to read it aren’t going to read it because it’s got too many big words in it,” he said. “It’s like a slap in the face from 100 yards away.”
Contact Leo Wolfson at leo@cowboystatedaily.com
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
