Negative politics sometimes pays off.
That was the case in the House District 43 Republican primary Tuesday night, as Wyoming Freedom Caucus-endorsee Ann Lucas beat incumbent state Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne.
Lucas beat Zwonitzer by 240 votes.
The race between Zwonitzer and Lucas got ugly, with close to 20 attack ads launched against Zwonitzer.
Zwonitzer has served in the Wyoming House since 2004 and was the second-longest serving member of the chamber.
He stood with many other veteran legislators who like to dedicate a certain portion of the budget each year to savings, a move often opposed by members of the farther right Freedom Caucus.
Lucas is a farther right Republican and former credit union and banking executive who moved to Cheyenne in 2002. She describes herself as a conservative who believes in limited government and taxation only when it's absolutely necessary.
Lucas believes the Legislature needs to cut the state budget. She also wants to bring more transparency to the Legislature and have roll calls on every vote.
Zwonitzer believes the legislative moves the state has been making for the last 60 years can be attributed to the high quality of life in Wyoming today, not blamed for its problems.
Lucas has no general election opponent yet.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
