Wyoming’s 10-candidate Republican primary race for U.S. House dropped to nine Thursday, when Teton County rancher Frank Chapman dropped out of the race.
He told Cowboy State Daily it’s irresponsible to continue in this crowded race, “when the voters need to whittle it down and figure it out, through a couple people.”
“There’s too much clutter. It’s not easy to get a message out in that situation,” said Chapman in a Thursday phone interview. “I don’t think it’s responsible to allow people to spend the kind of money that would be required to keep going in this.”
As of the second-quarter Federal Election Commission reports, Chapman landed among the top four candidates in terms of campaign funding.
He and three other candidates — philanthropist Steve Friess, Casper businessman Reid Rasner, and Secretary of State Chuck Gray — have loaned themselves more than $1 million each.
Rasner has spent the most as of July 1, at nearly $2 million.
Chapman said he is not out of money, but he does not believe it’s responsible “to allow people to spend the kind of money that would be required to keep going in this.”
Who's Left?
That leaves Friess, Rasner, Gray, state Senate President Bo Biteman, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, veterans David Giralt and Kevin Christensen, former legislator Keith Goodenough, and Richard Dodson in the race.
Chapman told Cowboy State Daily he’s very conservative, especially in fiscal terms. But he dislikes divisive politicking and believes the GOP should use more of a big-tent approach.
He said he’s not endorsing any of the other candidates at this time.
“It’s so important to get everybody into the big tent and not allow your state party to fight,” he said.
Chapman also said Republicans should “try to get these people to work together so we can actually get something done and not just take advantage of the electorate by saying ridiculous statements you don’t mean … don’t fight with everybody to get it done.”
Chapman added: “It’s not about self-promotion, but about what’s best for the people and how to make their lives better.”
The Wyoming Republican Party’s state central committee, or top statewide delegates, made a controversial move Monday evening by endorsing Gray in the race.
State law bars the party from directly or indirectly backing one Republican over another in the primary election. While some argue that any expense toward endorsements and endorsement announcements violates this law, that remains unclear.
The party is suing Gray in his official capacity in an effort to have the law overturned as an unconstitutional violation of its First Amendment rights. That case is ongoing.
“I think the party made a mistake in endorsing anyone,” said Chapman. “I think that when you have power you have to be judicious in how you use that power, and even if they do have the right to endorse … intelligence and good governance would tell you not to endorse; and let the people decide.”
The Friend
Miami billionaire Ken Griffin contributed more than $2.5 million to a super-PAC, Fighting for Wyoming, that touted Chapman as a conservative rancher ready to fight with President Donald Trump for the people of Wyoming.
That PAC had spent $32,975.67 as of July 1.
Chapman said Thursday of Griffin, “He’s a wonderful person that I’ve known since I was in the ninth grade. And we’re just really good friends, and it’s not about politics.
“It’s about who he believes will do a wonderful job for the people of Wyoming and the United States.”
In his own campaign, Chapman’s total receipts as of July 1 amounted to $1,091,623.83.
Of that, $31,622.89 came from contributions; $1.06 million came from a self-loan by Chapman.
The campaign had spent $596,462.50 as of July 1 and had $495,161.33 cash on hand, the FEC says.
Chapman told Cowboy State Daily he may run for office again, if the people wish it.
A statement his campaign released Thursday quotes Chapman saying, "Wyoming is great because we, the people of Wyoming, are tenacious, independent, hardworking, and unwilling to be pushed around. Although my time as a candidate has come to an end, my commitment to Wyoming has not."
"I will continue to stand with the people of this state, demand accountability and honest answers from those in power, and make certain Washington never forgets that it works for the people of Wyoming—not the other way around," he added.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
