Challenger Jayme Lien stunned incumbent Tom Walters in the District 38 Wyoming House primary race Tuesday, denying him a seventh term.
Lien received 859 votes to 715 for Walters.
“I would like to thank the people of House District 38 for the vote of confidence in the primary election,” she said. “I look forward to going to work for the people on true property reform, reduction in spending, quality, education and pro-life votes.”
Lien identifies with Wyoming’s Freedom Caucus and characterized herself as a “constitutional conservative dedicated to upholding traditional Wyoming values.”
If elected, she said she would advocate for responsible government, champion the interests of Wyoming residents and work to lower taxes and resident fees.
Walters, a Casper-area rancher, was among legislators singled out in the February budget session for not backing a bill that would have legally defined “male” and “female.”
He defended himself in July to media sending a letter to Cowboy State Daily and vowing to protect the “opportunities and rights of Wyoming girls.”
During the past legislative term, Walters served as the chairman of the Air Transportation Liaison Committee, chairman of the Select Committee on Capital Financing and Investments, and chairman of the Subcommittee on Capitol Governance. He was a sponsor of legislation to sell, lease, or exchange the Kelly Parcel in Grand Teton County.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
