In case there was any confusion, former President Donald Trump on Saturday reiterated his support for the three Wyoming candidates he had previously endorsed for Tuesday’s primary election.
In three separate posts on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump reissued support for U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, and Cheyenne state Legislature candidate Darin Smith. Trump had already endorsed all three earlier this year.
Some of the opponents of these candidates had questioned whether Trump’s previous endorsements were in fact that.
Barrasso
Trump first endorsed Barrasso’s campaign in March, along with an endorsement for Barrasso’s campaign for Senate Whip, the No. 2 leadership position in the Senate.
On Saturday, Trump called Barrasso “an incredible Advocate for the Great People of Wyoming.”
“John is a True Patriot who fights to Create Jobs, Lower Inflation, Promote American Energy, Uphold the Rule of Law, Protect our always under Siege Second Amendment, and Support our amazing Farmers and Ranchers,” Trump wrote. “John Barrasso has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
In January, Barrasso endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign.
Barrasso has two challengers in the Republican primary, Laramie's John Holtz and Casper resident Reid Rasner.
Rasner has attempted to link his campaign to Trump since starting it last year but with the former president's endorsement of Barrasso, that attempt never went anywhere.
Holtz, an attorney, has run a much quieter campaign.
The winner of this race will face Laramie Democrat Scott Morrow in the general election.
Barrasso is picked in every significant poll as a "very safe" bet to win re-election.
Hageman
Trump also endorsed Hageman this spring but re-upped his support for her on Saturday, commending the congresswoman’s work representing Wyoming in her first term.
“Harriet has been fighting against Government Corruption her whole career,” Trump wrote. “Harriet knows how to Stop the Federal Government from going too far, and how to Protect our Constitutional Rights. She is working hard to Lower Inflation, Promote American Energy, Secure the Border, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Trump made Hageman his first priority of 2022, doing everything he could to help her oust former Rep. Liz Cheney.
Casper attorney Steve Helling is challenging Hageman in the Republican primary.
Helling had baselessly claimed earlier this month that Trump had endorsed him because he received a generic email from the former president saying “Steven, you have my endorsement.”
This same email was sent to every person on his mailing list.
To that end, Hageman urged Wyoming voters to make sure information is accurate before accept it.
"I understand there are folks using President Trump’s name to try to earn votes for candidates he has not endorsed," Hageman said. "Wyoming, make sure you do your homework before you vote on Tuesday. Don’t fall for these desperate ploys."
Smith
Cheyenne Senate District 6 Republican candidate Darin Smith became the first and only Wyoming legislative candidate to receive an endorsement from Trump in July. On Saturday, Trump doubled down on him, as well.
“A successful Entrepreneur, Darin will Fight to Lower your Taxes, Grow the Economy, Secure the Border, Protect our Incredible Military/Vets, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote.
Although Trump finished off all three endorsements saying each candidate “has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump showed a little more excitement for Smith, adding in that “HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Trump's second endorsement for Smith comes after Gov. Mark Gordon sent out texts last week endorsing his slate of candidates along with a recent quote from Trump supporting Gordon.
The fact that Gordon has issued support for Smith's opponent drew irritation from some and accusations that the governor was being deceptive by mentioning Trump in this message.
Smith built a relationship with Trump in 2021 when vying for his endorsement in his short-lived U.S. Congress campaign against Cheney.
Trump delivered these three endorsements around a number of other state-level and congressional endorsements he gave in Florida and Alaska.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
