The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is regrouping.
Backed by around 35 representatives in the state House now, the controversial group of Republicans can bank on about 10 solid House votes starting in January.
That’s after Wyoming’s registered Republican voters ousted 13 of its allies in Tuesday’s primary election. At least 11 open seats went to non-Freedom Caucus candidates and at least 13 non-caucus incumbents survived the primary election.
A total voter turnout of 150,359 carried those ousters, with turnout 23% higher than 2024’s total of 122,718.
“Of course we’ll regroup,” said former caucus chair and Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, in a Wednesday phone interview. “I think all the people that have been involved with it will have some say in how that plays out. Obviously, the people still in the Legislature will play the most prominent roles.”
Bear, who also chairs the House Appropriations Committee, lost his Republican primary challenge to political newcomer and coal mine transportation manager Doug Moore.
Bear has been among the most outspoken members of the caucus, and with another ousted member, Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, led efforts this year to repeal the Wyoming Business Council, cut the state grant to the University of Wyoming by $40 million, and limit “corporate welfare,” or government funding of certain businesses.
The larger debate over the extent to which government should be subsidizing or involved in business was obscured in this year’s legislative session, as the check-passing controversy known as “CheckGate” dominated days of lawmakers’ time and culminated in new rules for both House and Senate.
Bear voiced resolve Wednesday but was tenuous on strategy.
The caucus doesn’t have a specific plan in place yet because, “I don’t think any of us anticipated this kind of loss,” said Bear. “So we’re going to have to evaluate that.”
On its official Facebook page, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus vowed to remain in play.
“The WYFC is not going anywhere,” says the group’s Wednesday post. “Last night’s results will not undo the policy wins we’ve delivered on behalf of the people.”
“We believe the role of government should be limited to protecting our constitutional rights, and we won’t apologize for it,” the post says. “We exist for the people of Wyoming, not any particular legislator or candidate. We will never stop fighting for Wyoming. America’s last hope.”
'Not Child's Play'
Multiple Wyoming lawmakers from non-Caucus Republican to Democratic called Tuesday night’s ousters a sign that the state is rejecting the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.
“Wyoming citizens spoke loud and clear tonight!” wrote Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, to his political Facebook page. “They want TRUE governance not child’s play. Congratulations, Wyoming!”
Bear indicated at least partial disagreement with statements like those, and referenced a Wednesday-morning interview by Cowboy State Daily columnist Tom Lubnau.
Lubnau had cast change and upsets as attractive to voters. He noted that in one respect, campaigning as a newcomer is easier because that candidate doesn’t have a legislative record to scrutinize.
“And the first time you run, you run against the institution and it’s easy,” said Lubnau. “But when you’re an incumbent you have to run on your record.”
Bear built on that in his own interview.
“It’s easy to attack the people in charge. It’s a lot more difficult to defend that opposition,” he said.
Bear also laid some blame on the media and outside political action committees (PACs).
“I think with the media onslaught against the Freedom Caucus, as well as those outside PACs, it was just a little overwhelming,” he said.
The media covered the CheckGate controversy at length, and multiple caucus members were embroiled in it. The House of Representatives investigated and didn’t find grounds for bribery or legislative misconduct proceedings against those involved.
Bear also engaged in self-reflection.
“We didn’t do a good enough job of getting our message out about what we did for the people,” he said.
Bear said for him individually he’s not sure what’s next. He said his family is excited for his new surplus of time and he’ll apply himself “to whatever the Lord has next.”
“I did this to serve the people,” he added. “So if that’s not what they want, I’m good with going a different direction.”
Out With The Populist Bathwater
Rep. Tom Kelly, who ran for superintendent of public instruction but lost his GOP bid to Rep. Steve Harshman, indicated in a Wednesday Facebook post that the Freedom Caucus stigma afflicted similar movements.
“(Cowboy State Daily columnist) Rod Miller hit the nail on the head,” wrote Kelly. “He predicted a Freedom Caucus massacre, and anyone who even rubbed elbows with them would pay for it at voting booth, present company included.”
Kelly is not a Freedom Caucus member, but Make Liberty Win – the Virginia-based PAC that spent about $550,000 touting WFC’s favorites and attacking its enemies this season – endorsed him. So had other WFC-aligned groups.
Kelly said no write-in or third-party miracle is coming to Wyoming for those movements. He predicted that Democrats might have the momentum to win local races if conservatives boycott the Republican candidates in the general election, but said the four, non-WYFC statewide nominees who won contested state-level elections will all win easily.
The Chair, The Candidate
Rep. Rachel Williams, caucus chair, posted a concession speech from her failed bid for the secretary of state nomination to her campaign Facebook page.
Williams, also known as Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, took second place in a four-candidate Republican field won by Converse County Commissioner Robert Short.
“Last night did not go our way,” says the post. “Running for Secretary of State has been one of the great privileges of my life, and I am grateful for every person who was part of it.”
Williams added, “An election does not decide whether I serve Wyoming. It only decides where.”
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
