Receiving a barrage of attacks and being a supporter of former congresswoman Liz Cheney didn’t stop state Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, from getting reelected in the primary election on Tuesday night. Landon Brown edged out challenger Exie Brown by 17 votes.
“I’m just humbled,” Landon Brown said. “I just want to thank everyone who voted for me and for the friends and family that supported me. I ran a positive campaign and I believe that resonates with the voters of House District 9.”
Landon Brown had been trailing by about 50 votes when all the precincts had reported but pulled into the lead when mail-in ballots were counted.
“It was close, and I promise to continue to represent all of this district to the best of my ability.”
Landon Brown is a prominent member of the Wyoming Caucus, a group of Republican legislators who oppose the farther right Wyoming Freedom Caucus’ efforts. The Freedom Caucus had endorsed Exie Brown.
Landon Brown had a few hiccups along the campaign trail that his opponent was quick to point out.
One was his support for Gabriel Testerman, a former Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper who was convicted of first-degree sexual assault. Landon Brown had testified on his behalf, and although he later apologized for doing so, Exie Brown said it exemplified what he saw as a pattern of bad judgment from his opponent.
At a political forum last month, Exie Brown said his opponent flip-flops too much on issues. Not long afterward, he called Landon Brown out for supporting former congresswoman Liz Cheney’s 2022 campaign.
Although Landon Brown’s political views are on the more moderate side, he voted in support of bills prohibiting transgender girls from participating in girls sports and minors from receiving transgender surgeries in Wyoming.
On property taxes, Landon Brown said the state should pause any future efforts to make reforms until it finds out the impacts of changes that were made during the 2024 legislative session.
Landon Brown has no opponent yet for the general election.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
