President Donald Trump on Thursday added to his three-time endorsement of governor candidate Megan Degenfelder by holding a “tele-rally” or virtual phone rally for her.
The rally kicked off with the Lee Greenwood song “Proud to Be An American” and ended with the moderator asking attendees to push one to signify if they’re voting for Degenfelder, who is the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, or push two if they’re not voting for her.
“She will never let you down, she’s a very, very special person,” came the president’s voice over the tele-rally, held Thursday afternoon by phone link. “So get out and vote for Megan Degenfelder and you’ll be happy, you’re gonna say, President Trump gave me a good idea. You’ll look back in the years and you’re gonna say that was a great chioice. She’s gonna be very, very special.”
The president encouraged people to vote early, or vote period. He pointed to Wyoming’s overwhelming support for him. Wyoming voters have given Trump a larger margin of support in the past three general elections than any other state.
He touted Degenfelder’s many goals: She supports the 50% property tax cut ballot initiative coming before voters this fall. She voices strong support for the traditional energy sector.
The president emphasized multiple times that early voting is underway.
The primary election is Aug. 18. Degenfelder is running for the Republican nomination against former state House Speaker and state Sen. Eric Barlow, retired Marine Corps Col Brent Bien, and Centennial man Curt Blake.
Big Push
Trump first endorsed Degenfelder on Jan. 9 and has reiterated his endorsement at least twice since then – and a fourth time including Thursday’s tele-rally.
Barlow and Bien also garnered newsworthy bragging points last month.
Barlow released results of a poll — which Cowboy State Daily reviewed — showing a huge lead over both Bien and Degenfelder.
Bien won the endorsement of the Wyoming Republican Party’s state central committee – a move putting the committee uncommonly at odds with the president.
Trump lauded Degenfelder at length Thursday.
“As state superintendent as you know, she stood up for parents’ rights, and she fought for school choice, she kept men out of women’s sports, removed this sexually explicit filth from your classrooms – there’s so many things,” said Trump. “She’s really out there and she wants to do it. And she can do an even better job as governor.”
Trump said Degenfelder will defend the Second Amendment.
Wyoming just beat the Trump administration in a gun-rights case Wednesday.
Trump said Degenfelder will ensure schools will teach kids to love America.
“And that’s exactly – when you see all these lunatics running, they don’t love America,” said Trump. “They don’t know what they love but it’s not America.”
Trump said Degenfelder will back the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Border Patrol, and law enforcement generally.
Degenfelder thanked Trump for his support and his leadership, and said this election “is about protecting the Wyoming we love while building an even stronger Wyoming for the next generation.”
She pointed to Wyoming’s heritage as a region of pioneers, and urged residents to take a leadership role.
“We know what our president would do, because we see him do it,” she said. “And I’m ready to take on that challenge.”
Comment?
Barlow told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday he did not listen to the virtual rally. He said he was leaving a charity event and heading out to knock on doors in Cheyenne.
Regarding Trump’s fourth endorsement of his opponent, Barlow said, “The president encouraged her to run, and he’s sticking to his choice, and I certainly respect others’ choices.
“But right now we’re still doing the work of earning the votes of Wyoming citizens. In fact, we’re going door to door right now, and then we have an ice cream social in a local park.”
Bien did not immediately return a voicemail request for comment. Cowboy State Daily will update this story if he comments Thursday.
… And Trump
Trump’s face is ubiquitous this primary election.
At least three U.S. House candidates — Secretary of State Chuck Gray, philanthropist Steve Friess, and Casper businessman Reid Rasner — feature Trump on their campaign mailers.
Trump has not endorsed anyone in that race.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
