Politics and Government Reporter

Leo Wolfson

Leo Wolfson is the State Government and Politics Reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering Wyoming politics on a federal and statewide level.

Leo led Cowboy State Daily's coverage of the 2022 Wyoming primary election, including the highly contentious race between former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her successor U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. He also managed CSD's coverage of the 2023 State Legislature, which was by far the most extensive and timely media coverage of a legislative session in the state's history.

Before joining Cowboy State Daily, Leo was a general assignment reporter for the Cody Enterprise Newspaper in Cody from 2018-2022. Prior to that, he reported for a suburban newspaper outside Denver.

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Latest from Leo Wolfson

Former House Speaker Albert Sommers lost his bid for the state Senate last year, but was elected chairman of the Sublette County Republican Party this month. County GOP elections followed the trend, electing former legislators to leadership positions.

Former Wyoming Legislators Win Big In County Republican Party Elections

Former House Speaker Albert Sommers was elected chairman of the Sublette County Republican Party this month. County GOP elections around Wyoming followed the trend of putting former legislators into leadership roles.

Leo WolfsonMarch 25, 2025

Wyoming state Reps. Cody Wylie, left, and J.T. Larson, both Rock Springs Republicans, are suing over election mailers they claim are deliberately false and misleading.

Legislators Can Keep Suing Freedom Caucus Over Election Flyers, Judge Says

A Sweetwater County District Court ruled Friday that a pair of Rock Springs state legislators can keep suing the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. They claim the group defamed them in election flyers during the 2024 campaign cycle.

Leo WolfsonMarch 24, 2025

A Trump family 757 jet remains parked at the Cheyenne Reginal Airport on Monday, March 24, 2025, after spending the weekend parked there. Clearly visible from traffic driving by, a steady stream of people stopped to take photos of the plane, including Kevin Williams, who stood in the bed of his pickup to shoot over the fence.

‘Trump Force One’ Parked At Cheyenne Airport A Magnet For Photos And Selfies

President Donald Trump’s family plane remains parked at the Cheyenne Regional Airport on Monday, and has been a magnet for selfies and photos of the jet. The large 757 landed sometime Saturday, and has been drawing attention since.

Leo WolfsonMarch 24, 2025

Jackie Hamilton vacuums the stairs to the Senate Chambers on March 4 during the 2025 Wyoming legislative session.

When The Legislative Mudslinging’s Over, Wyoming’s Capitol Custodians Clean Up

Amid the fast-paced action at the Wyoming Capitol during the legislative session, some workers there often blend into the backdrop without much recognition. When the legislative mudslinging is over, the Capitol custodians clean up.

Leo WolfsonMarch 23, 2025

Frank Crum Beat The Odds To Be A Denver Bronco, Now He Works For An NFL Career

Former University of Wyoming football star Frank Crum beat the odds last season, making the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie. Now comes the hard part — carving out a career in the NFL.

Leo WolfsonMarch 23, 2025

A group of Democrats gathered Wednesday at the Albany County Courthouse along Grand Avenue in Laramie, Wyoming, on Wednesday to protest President Donald Trump and his policies. The group then walked to the Laramie Plains Civic Center to become part of a raucus crowd for a town hall held by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman.

With Approval Ratings At An All-Time Low, Wyoming Democrats Searching For Direction

With national approval ratings for Democrats at an all-time low, the party is searching for solutions. Wyoming Democrats attending a “Gather For Good” rally opposing Rep. Hageman on Wednesday offered few clear answers as to how their party should move forward.

Leo WolfsonMarch 20, 2025

More than 500 people packed into the Gryphon Theater at the Laramie Plains Civic Center in Laramie, Wyoming, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, for a Rep. Harriet Hageman town hall. As a bright spotlight shiunes on Hageman, a vocal group stands to yell at the congresswoman.

Hageman Doesn’t Back Down As Hostile Crowd Curses Her At Unruly Laramie Town Hall

Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman took on a hostile town hall crowd in Laramie on Wednesday, but wouldn’t back down. More than 500 gathered, many yelling curses to the point of local Democratic Party chair saying he’s “heartbroken” by the behavior.

Leo WolfsonMarch 20, 2025

Lummis Wants To Pull $7.5B From Biden’s EV Mandates For Improving Highways

Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill Wednesday that would pull $7.5 billion from former President Joe Biden’s electrical vehicle mandates. Instead, it should be used to improve highways in Wyoming and across the country, she says.

Leo WolfsonMarch 19, 2025

Gordon Holds Veto Party With Law Officers To Axe Second Amendment Rights Bill

Gov. Mark Gordon held a ceremony Tuesday to veto a bill that aimed at protecting Wyoming residents from federal firearm orders. The bill would have allowed people to sue law enforcement agencies for enforcing federal laws that contradict Wyoming’s.

Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2025

State legislators who are also business owners sometimes learn that their politics can impact their businesses — for worse or better.

Boycotts, Name Changes And Backfires: Being A Politician Business Owner

Being a business owner and elected official in Wyoming can often intersect. Sometimes that means supporting legislation leads to boycotts of your business or prompt name changes. Most say the benefits far outweigh the challenges.

Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2025

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso meets with Wyoming troops in front of transporting equipment in Syria.

Barrasso Visits More Than 100 Wyoming Troops Stationed In The Middle East

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso spent Sunday visiting more than 100 Wyoming troops stationed in the Middle East. He praised them for being "in harm's way" and "keeping us safe and free at home."

Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2025

Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western of Big Horn will run the EPA’s Denver field office, overseeing President Donald Trump’s agenda for the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions.

Former Wyoming Legislator Cyrus Western Picked To Run EPA Field Office

Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western of Big Horn will run the EPA’s Denver field office, overseeing President Trump’s agenda for the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions. “When the president asks you to work for him, you don’t say no,” Western said.

Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2025

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A group of protesters with signs line the back of the crowd Saturday at Rock Springs, Wyomng, town hall event hosted by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman.

Protesters Get More Aggressive In Targeting Hageman At Rock Springs Town Hall

For the second time in three days Saturday, Democrats and others who oppose President Trump protested and heckled Harriet Hageman. During a Rock Springs town hall, she was met with signs and angry outbursts over her support for Trump and his policies.

Leo WolfsonMarch 17, 2025

Former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson To Lie In State At Wyoming Capitol

Funeral services for Al Simpson have been announced, which includes two days of the former longtime Wyoming U.S. senator lying in honor at the Wyoming Capitol.

Leo WolfsonMarch 17, 2025

Gordon Vetoes Bill Making New Attempt To Ban Abortion In Wyoming

Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill on Friday that attempted a new approach at banning abortion in Wyoming. Gordon said he vetoed the bill because it would add further confusion to Wyoming’s abortion bans that are being considered in court.

Leo WolfsonMarch 15, 2025

World, Wyoming Delegation Mourns Al Simpson’s Death

People from around Wyoming and the world expressed their condolences over the passing of former Wyoming U.S. Senator Al Simpson, who died Friday morning. His wife Ann told Sen. Barrasso that it was a full moon and “Al went to heaven on a moonbeam.”

Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025

Al and Ann Simpson on their 70th wedding anniversary in June 2024.

Former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Al Simpson Dies At 93, Remembered As Gentle Giant

Former U.S. Sen. Alan K. Simpson died early Friday morning at the age of 93, leaving a legacy of a man who transcended Wyoming culture and politics. Standing 6-foot-7, he’s remembered by friends and colleagues as a gentle statesman who truly served Wyoming.

Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025

Governor Signs College Transgender Sports Ban Into Law

Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday signed a bill into law requiring Wyoming colleges to restrict athletes’ participation in sports to biological sex at birth. The law also prohibits schools from competing against other schools that don’t adhere to the same standard.

Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025

Country music stars Chancey Williams, left, and Toby Keith perform Keith's smash hit "Should've Been a Cowboy" at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Bot Attack Crashes First Day Of Cheyenne Frontier Days Concert Ticket Sales

A bot attack on Thursday crashed the first day of ticket sales for Cheyenne Frontier Days’ nighttime concerts, causing the organization to shut off ticket sales and postpone them until next week.

Leo WolfsonMarch 13, 2025

New Law Aims To Protect Utility Companies And Ratepayers From Wildfire Lawsuits

A bill signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon aims to put more responsibility on utility companies while also protecting them from lawsuits related to wildfires in Wyoming.

Leo WolfsonMarch 13, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed an attempt by the Wyoming Legislature to defund his $152 million Energy Matching Funds program. He said the program has been used for alternative energy projects in the past.

Gordon Vetoes Attempt To Defund His Energy Project Program

Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed an attempt by the Wyoming Legislature to defund his $152 million Energy Matching Funds program. The program has been used for energy projects, including fossil fuels and alternative energy.

Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2025