Charlie Kirk Takes Center Stage At Conflicting Wyoming Republican Fundraisers

CHEYENNE — Conflicting Republican party fundraisers on Friday night forced party members to make tough decisions about how to spend their time and where to show their support. 

Both events were on opposite sides of Cheyenne and started within a half-hour of each another.

While the conflicting events have been a point of contention within the party for weeks, honoring Charlie Kirk’s legacy was prominent at both.

The Freedom Caucus hosted its Kirk memorial event to raise money for the University of Wyoming’s Turning Point USA chapter while the Laramie County GOP held its annual Red State Rendezvous dinner and fundraiser.

Both events come at a time of critical importance for the county and state parties. Linda Heath, who serves as a Laramie County commissioner and a precinct committeewoman, told Cowboy State Daily earlier this month that the county party was left nearly bankrupted by several recent high-dollar events and needs an influx of cash.

When asked about the conflicting fundraisers Friday, Heath told Cowboy State Daily even if the Kirk fundraiser impacts how much is raised by the Red State Rendezvous, “We’re going to have more fun than they do.”

The Freedom Caucus event comes as state leaders are rallying around Kirk’s legacy in the wake of his shooting death in September. Rep. Jeremie Haroldson, R-Wheatland, said he decided to attend the Freedom Caucus event out of respect for Kirk.

“I believe that the death of Charlie Kirk is probably one of the most monumental turning points in our nation, and I believe it’s important to rally behind that,” he said.

Red State Rendezvous

Though it was not originally listed as a Charlie Kirk memorial event, the Laramie GOP fundraiser included several tributes to Kirk, including signage and pictures recognizing his impact on conservative politics. 

Gabe Saint, who leads the University of Wyoming’s TPUSA chapter, penned a note to those in attendance thanking them for their support.

“I apologize for not being there tonight, but my group and I could not pass up the support of the many grassroots conservative organizations across Wyoming who set up a huge fundraiser for us,” the letter reads.

Laramie County Republican Chairwoman Lorraine Quarberg told Cowboy State Daily she received about 115 ticket requests from members of the party for the fundraiser.

The conflicting events are not a sign of infighting within the party, but an indication that it's performing at a high level, she said.

“Actually, it’s great because it gets people out and shows who’s interested in different things and I think it’s great for the city,” she said. 

Cheyenne City Councilwoman Michelle Aldrich said she planned to attend both events to fully support the Republican Party.

“I’m never a believer that it was done intentionally,” she said about scheduling the Kirk memorial on the same night as the Rendezvous. “Sometimes there’s only so many Friday nights available.”

Heath told Cowboy State Daily, however, she believes former Laramie County Republican Party chairman and current state GOP Treasurer Dallas Tyrrell may have played a role in the conflicting events. 

She said those who chose to attend the TPUSA event made the decision based on their values.

“Dallas definitely knew it was the same night,” she said. “I guess you are going to attend where your values are. If they decided not to come here already, then they were looking for another event.”

Charlie Kirk Memorial

Across town, several major figures in the state GOP attended the spirited Charlie Kirk memorial.

Those included Secretary of State Chuck Gray and U.S Attorney for the District of Wyoming Darin Smith. 

The event also displayed photos of Kirk and played a tribute video of his comments referring to Wyoming as a bastion of conservatism in the United States.

Aldrich told Cowboy State Daily the price of the items up for auction at the TPUSA event were higher than the ones at the Laramie County event.

Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, declined to comment about the conflicting events and the apparent rift within the Republican Party. 

Earlier this month, she denied association with Tyrrell, but said she was grateful for his donation to the Freedom Caucus fundraiser.

Jeff Barnes, an executive member of the Laramie County GOP, said he didn’t believe the events were scheduled as counterprogramming. He said his affinity for Kirk helped him decide which event to attend. 

“Charlie Kirk has done tremendous work in this nation, especially with young people,” he said. “After talking to a multitude of people, my wife and I decided that this would be probably the better event to raise money for the young kids at the University of Wyoming.”

In response to Heath’s claim her county fundraiser was more fun, Tyrrell told Cowboy State Daily that would be up to the attendees to decide.

“It’s tough this time of year to book events, find event space, so I think it just happened to be on the same night,” he said. “It is what it is, so I wish them all the best. Like I said, I donated to them and want them to be successful tonight.”

State Sen. Taft Love, R-Cheyenne, said he had bought seats at both events, but chose to attend the TPUSA one because of the momentum behind Kirk’s movement.

“We need youth inside the Republican Party,” he said. “I also think what Charlie Kirk was doing with religion and family was a great thing, and so I’m here tonight in support of the idea that we need to put God and family first and then work through our faith and fitness and finances.”

Simmering Feud

The conflicting events have been a point of contention within the party, according to screenshots of internal conversations between Tyrrell and Heath obtained by Cowboy State Daily last month.

Heath in that correspondence noted the conflicting event timelines and asked Tyrrell if he was involved in the planning process.

“You do realize your Turning Point Fundraiser is the same night as Red State Rendezvous?” Linda Heath asks in the screenshots.

“Of course I realize it’s the same night!” Tyrrell replies. “Thanks to Lorraine [Quarberg] I now know the expert way to handle anything I don’t like: complain, boycott, destroy, repeat.”

He was referring to the current Laramie County Party chairwoman.

Tyrrell last month confirmed the validity of those messages, and said they’re part of a bullying pattern.

“I was raised to stand up to bullies, and that is exactly what I intend to do,” he said. “I will not be intimidated, and I will continue speaking the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those more focused on control than genuine leadership.”
Heath in September told Cowboy State Daily she wants to see an end to the conflict, which she claimed stems from deeper issues within the party.

“If we can't have civil conversation and civil discussion, the legislative process dies, and that is not good for Wyoming, and it's not good for the people of Wyoming, and it is not good for any organization, political or not,” she said.

Jackson Walker can be reached at walker@cowboystatedaily.com.