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.
Latest from Leo Wolfson
![U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, remains the most popular U.S. senator for the fifth straight quarter, according to Morning Consult.](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/John-Barrasso-7.26..24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Poll: Barrasso Remains America’s Most Popular U.S. Senator
A Morning Consult poll released this week indicates John Barrasso remains America’s most popular U.S. senator for the fifth straight quarter with a 71% approval rating. A national pollster says Barrasso's seat is very safe.
Leo WolfsonJuly 26, 2024
![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.](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Wylie-and-Larson-flier-lawsuit-7.25.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Rock Springs Legislators Sue Over Mailers That Claim They Want Trump Off Ballot
Two Rock Springs Republican legislators are suing over Wyoming Freedom Caucus election mailers that claim they want Trump off ballots. Cody Wylie and J.T. Larson say the claims are deliberately false and meant to mislead.
Leo WolfsonJuly 26, 2024
![Cheney and trump 7 25 24](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Cheney-and-trump-7.25.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Liz Cheney’s Super PAC Supports Fundraising Platform For Democratic Candidates
Former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney’s super political action committee is paying into a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Democratic candidates. Her group says keeping Trump from the Oval Office again is “the cause of our time.”
Leo WolfsonJuly 25, 2024
![Delegation and biden 7 25 24](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Delegation-and-biden-7.25.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Hageman Says If Biden’s ‘Too Feeble’ To Run, He’s ‘Too Feeble To Be President’
Following President Biden's address on Wednesday evening, Wyoming’s congressional delegation questioned whether he should remain in office. Rep. Harriet Hageman said if the president is “too feeble to be a candidate, he’s too feeble to be president.”
Leo WolfsonJuly 25, 2024
![Mix Collage 24 Jul 2024 06 19 PM 4806](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/MixCollage-24-Jul-2024-06-19-PM-4806.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Wyoming Democrats Angry That Rep. Hageman Called Kamala Harris A ‘DEI Hire’
Although Wyoming Democrats are mad because Rep. Hageman called Kamala Harris a 'DEI hire,' Hageman said, “If you don’t want people to say she was hired only because she’s a black woman, then maybe Biden shouldn’t have said he was only gonna hire a black woman.”
Leo WolfsonJuly 25, 2024
![Mix Collage 24 Jul 2024 05 34 PM 5744](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/MixCollage-24-Jul-2024-05-34-PM-5744.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Tempers Flare Between House Candidate And County Sheriff At Buffalo Candidate Forum
A candidate forum got heated in Buffalo on Tuesday night when Johnson County Sheriff Rod Odenbach said gun lobbyist and House candidate Mark Jones' support of two gun bills which became law makes it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs.
Leo WolfsonJuly 24, 2024
![Trump wyoming 7 24 24](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/trump-wyoming-7-24-24_2024-07-24-165441_pjpb.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Trump Coming To Jackson, Wyoming For Fundraiser On Aug. 10
Former President Donald Trump will be coming to Jackson on Aug. 10 to speak at a private fundraising event for his campaign. The price of admission is $5,000. To attend the reception and get a photo will cost $35,000.
Leo WolfsonJuly 24, 2024
![More than 100 people showed up for the daytime town hall.](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Gordon-in-sheridan-group-7.23.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Gordon Concerned About Misinformation Campaigns Targeting Wyoming Primary Races
At a Tuesday town hall in Sheridan, Gov. Mark Gordon said he’s concerned about out-of-state misinformation campaigns designed to sway Wyoming’s primary election. He also promoted the state’s efforts to bolster its economy.
Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024
![Cheatle and delegation 7 23 24](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Cheatle-and-delegation-7.23.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Secret Service Director Abruptly Quits, But Wyoming Delegation Still Want Answers
Wyoming’s congressional delegation is pleased with Tuesday’s abrupt resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. But they still want answers about the agency’s failings during the assassination attempt on Trump.
Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024
![Nick Beduhn](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Nick-Beduhn-and-supreme-court-7.23.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Wyoming Attorney Who Fought COVID Mandates Disbarred For Abandoning Clients
Nick Beduhn, a Buffalo attorney who represented clients in a number of cases opposing COVID-19 mandates, has been disbarred by the Wyoming State Bar. The disbarment comes after an indefinite suspension in November 2022.
Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024
![Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle during an hourslong House Committee on Oversight and Accountability meeting Monday, July 22, 2024.](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Kimberly-Cheatle-GettyImages-2162421135-7.22.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Wyoming Delegation Ads To List Demanding Secret Service Director Resign
Wyoming's delegation is among a growing contingent in Congress demanding Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle quit. Cheatle was grilled by a House committee Monday about her agency’s miscues before and during the assassination attempt on Trump.
Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024
![Vice President Kamala Harris](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Kamala-Harris-7.22.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Now What? Wyoming Dems To Meet About What To Do Now That Biden Is Out
After Sunday’s bombshell that President Joe Biden is halting his 2024 reelection campaign, the Wyoming Democratic Party is regrouping. Its 17 delegates for the party’s national convention are expected to meet Monday to discuss what they’ll do now.
Leo WolfsonJuly 22, 2024
![Rep. Cody Wylie, (R-Rock Springs), holds up a mailer accusing him of being "woke"](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/legislator-brochure-7-22-24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Wyoming Candidates Angered Over Mudslinging Pre-Primary Mailers
Wyoming candidates who are targets of a recent wave of mudslinging political mailers, text messages and phone calls say they cross the line. They claim the campaign materials are deliberately misleading and outright libelous.
Leo WolfsonJuly 22, 2024
![President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/MixCollage-21-Jul-2024-01-02-PM-4761.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Biden Out: Barrasso Says Exit Is Proof Dems “Admitting Failures Of Last Four Years”
Wyoming's congressional delegation said they weren't surprised with Biden's announcement Sunday to drop out of the race. Sen. Barrasso said the Democrats have "admitted their failures of the last four years" while Harriet Hageman said Biden has "no business running a popsicle stand."
Leo WolfsonJuly 21, 2024
![An information screen informs travelers that train information is not running due to the global technical outage at Canal Street subway station on July 19, 2024, in New York City. Businesses and transport worldwide were affected by a global technology outage that was attributed to a software update issued by CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm whose software is used by many industries around the world.](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/GettyImages-2162028098.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Dozens Of Wyoming Government Agencies Hit In Global Cybersecurity Crash
A global crash of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike on Friday wreaked havoc on governments and systems worldwide, including the state of Wyoming. The glitch impacted the 49 executive branch agencies, including the governor's office.
Leo WolfsonJuly 19, 2024
![House 7 19 24](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/house-7-19-24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Wyoming Legislature Explores Using State Lands For Affordable Housing
The Regulatory Reduction Task Force advanced a bill on Thursday that would allow Wyoming to lease and sell its land for affordable housing projects. State governments in Colorado, Washington, and New Mexico have done the same thing through private-public partnerships.
Leo WolfsonJuly 19, 2024
![Keith Kennedy](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/Keith-Kennedy-7.19.24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Laramie State Senate Candidate Calls Out Opponent For Soft Stance On Gun Control
Senate Dist. 10 GOP candidate Keith Kennedy is accusing his Laramie opponent Gary Crum of being in the “squishy middle” on Second Amendment issues in Wyoming. Although Crum wouldn't comment, his website says he is in favor of "responsible gun control policies."
Leo WolfsonJuly 19, 2024
![Former first lady Melania Trump and members of the Trump family join Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump on stage after he officially accepted the Republican presidential nomination on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/trump-11-7-18-24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Barrasso Sits With Trump Family At Nomination, Delegation Thrilled With Speech
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso sat in Donald Trump’s family box at the Fiserv Forum before the former president gave his speech Thursday. Barrasso said Trump commended his efforts on grilling the director of the Secret Service over her agency’s handling of Saturday’s rally.
Leo WolfsonJuly 19, 2024
![Biden 7 18 24](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/biden-7-18-24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Wyoming Democrats Split On Whether President Biden Should Stay In Race
While Wyoming Democratic chairman Joe Barbuto said he is supporting President Biden to stay in the presidential race because he's done a "phenomenal job," other Wyoming Democrats like Cheyenne's Marcie Kindred says it's time for Joe to go.
Leo WolfsonJuly 18, 2024
![Barrasso cheatle](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/barrasso-cheatle.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Barrasso Chases Down Secret Service Head About Attack on Trump, Demands Answers
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso chased down and confronted the head of the Secret Service on Wednesday demanding answers to security breakdowns that allowed an assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Leo WolfsonJuly 18, 2024
![Sarah penn 7 17 24](https://cowboystatedaily.imgix.net/sarah-penn-7-17-24.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&q=75&auto=format%2Ccompress&ar=3%3A2&fit=crop)
Why Won't Anyone Debate This Year? They Don't Trust Who's Hosting It.
There’s a trend among Wyoming candidates running for office to not attend debates hosted by organizations they don't trust-- like the League of Women Voters in Fremont County. Candidates don't believe they are as non-partisan as the group says.
Leo WolfsonJuly 17, 2024