State Republican leaders this month face a decision about whether to attend a major, annual county GOP fundraiser, or a Charlie Kirk memorial set for the same evening.
On Oct. 17, two major Republican fundraiser events are slated for about the same time, both in Cheyenne.
The Wyoming House Freedom Caucus is hosting a memorial event for slain political influencer Charlie Kirk in Cheyenne, while the Laramie County GOP will host a “Red State Rendezvous” fundraising event at Laramie County Community College.
Both events are scheduled to start within half an hour of one another, and on opposite sides of town. Each event also boasts high-profile attendees, with Secretary of State Chuck Gray and “Wyoming legislative leaders” attending the memorial, and Air Force veteran Kacy Pontillo Dixon speaking at the GOP fundraiser.
Republican leaders may have to choose which event matters most to them.
Freedom Caucus
The Charlie Kirk memorial, titled “rise up for freedom” will take place at The Office Bar and Grill, and is meant to “honor the legacy” of Kirk, who was gunned down while speaking at Utah Valley University last month. Proceeds from the event, according to those advertising it, will benefit the University of Wyoming’s Turning Point USA chapter.
That group is among other campus chapters which have seen an increase in student membership since Kirk’s death.
Wyoming State Freedom Caucus Director Jessie Rubino founded UW’s Turning Point USA chapter as a student in 2017. She told Cowboy State Daily commemorating Kirk should be a top priority for state Republican leaders.
“Charlie Kirk had a bigger impact in Wyoming than most could ever have imagined,” she wrote via email. “After his assassination, there's been a groundswell of individuals and groups reaching out wondering how they can help further his mission.”
The event date was selected by taking several factors into consideration including the due date of Rubino’s pregnancy. Oct. 17 appears to have been the right choice as it is already proving highly popular with interested attendees, Rubino said.
Rubino said she was unaware of the timeline for Laramie County Republicans’ plans and did not know which event had been scheduled first.
“Members of the WYFC, along with other grassroots conservatives around the state, came together to plan this event and selected a date that worked for all parties involved,” she added. “October 17 was clearly the right choice, as we sold out all seats in less than five hours. We are excited to continue to raise more for the patriots of TPUSA at UW-- I know well that they will put the money to good use. The team of individuals and groups helping plan this event include legislators with interim committee meetings, busy moms, UW students, and more.”
Gabe Saint, who leads the UW Turning Point USA chapter, told Cowboy State Daily he hopes the conflicting events do not lead to internal conflict within the state Republican Party.
“TPUSA at UW is humbled by the outpouring of support from the grassroots conservative movement in Wyoming and we are excited to participate in the event benefitting our chapter,” he wrote. “TPUSA at UW stands for unity and grace, which is exactly what the October 17 event benefitting our chapter is all about.”
“I am unsure of where the alleged controversy is coming from,” he added. “All I know is that Charlie’s legacy is more alive than ever before, especially here in Wyoming. If there is controversy, we should remember that Charlie died because he was a person of consequence and we need to live up to that standard.”
Several representatives of the Laramie County Republican leadership did not respond to a request for comment from Cowboy State Daily by publication deadline.
State Sen. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne, declined via his Google voice assistant to comment. His Facebook page lists him as attending the county party event, however.
The party’s Red State Rendezvous is frequently billed as a flagship event. In 2024, the event hosted keynote speaker Tulsi Gabbard, who has since become U.S. Director of National Intelligence. Multiple statewide elected officials addressed the rendezvous gathering in 2023.
Which Event?
Rep. Ann Lucas, R-Cheyenne, told Cowboy State Daily she is occupied by a different event that evening, but plans to support the Kirk memorial.
“Actually, I am a speaker at the Wyoming Republican Women's Convention concurrently,” she wrote via text message. “But I am donating matching funds to the TPUSA event, which I helped Gabe Saint arrange.”
Lucas added she doesn’t see anything wrong with the conflicting events, noting that’s just how politics works sometimes.
“There are frequently multiple events on the same evening,” she added. “Most recently, the Wyoming Family Alliance Family Policy Gala was the same time as Dancing With the Stars. People are allowed choices and no one is required to attend a specific event. Not in the USA.”
Get Those Youth Going
Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, said he would attend the Kirk memorial. This decision is due to a need for younger voices in state political discussions, he said.
“I’m a proud member of the Laramie County GOP and serve as committeeman for Precinct 3-3,” he said. “I’m grateful for the party leaders who first got me involved, but too often I’m the youngest person in the room. We need more young conservatives in the fight, and that’s why I’ve been proud to support Turning Point USA. Leaders like Gabe Saint with TPUSA and JW Rzeszut with YAL are already showing the way forward.”
Singh added he feels the Freedom Caucus is currently an important voice in Wyoming politics due to what he called its strong, principled approach to politics.
“But we must be honest: what good is electing a Republican who won’t defend the unborn?” he asked. “That’s why the Freedom Caucus exists — because too many Republicans, even here in Laramie County, have refused to stand with the platform.”
Singh also said the events are strategic approaches to different challenges facing state Republicans.
“The overlap may look like rivalry, but both events support good causes,” he said. “Truth, we have one fundraiser focused on the long term and one on the short term—and those goals don’t conflict at all. If both groups make money, then everyone wins.”
Rep. Gary Brown, R-Cheyenne, told Cowboy State Daily he has “family obligations out of town” that day and will not be present at either event.
“My understanding was that the TPUSA Chapter from UW asked someone here in Cheyenne to help set up the event,” he said. “And the Freedom Caucus had no part in setting it up.”
Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R- Wheatland, also said he had other obligations that day and would not attend either event.
Mandy Weaver, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Democratic Party, declined comment to Cowboy State Daily, saying the party would not weigh in on what appear to be Republicans’ “internal conflicts.”
Jackson Walker can be reached at walker@cowboystatedaily.com.
