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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Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder is under fire from the Wyoming Democratic Party for her participation in an event this weekend with conservative activist group Moms For Liberty.

Wyoming Dems Blast Degenfelder For Association With Moms For Liberty

Wyoming Democrats are upset Megan Degenfelder, the state’s top education official, is taking stage with an activist who has supported getting rid of certain books in school libraries and other conservative educational causes.

Leo WolfsonJune 08, 2023

Former Mayor René Kemper, left, and Kim Pexton, who was elevated to mayor after Kemper's unexpected death in March.

It's Been 'Very Trying' For Douglas, Wyoming, After Mayor's Unexpected Death

Longtime Douglas city councilwoman Kim Pexton had known and served with Mayor René Kemper for years. But taking over as mayor after Kemper's unexpected death in March has been "very trying for everybody," Pexton said.

Leo WolfsonJune 08, 2023

Gillette resident Bob Vomhof, left, gives a quick smile while asking the city council to vote no on an anti-hate crime ordinance. He wasn't alone in his opposition. Many people showed up to Tuesday's meeting with signs. Below right, Ed and Susan Sisti both also spoke against it.

Emotions Run Hot As Gillette City Council Bombarded Ahead Of Passing Anti-Hate Crime Law

Gillette City Council passed a controversial anti-hate crime ordinance Tuesday on a close 4-3 vote, but not before nearly two dozen people made impassioned pleas against it.

Leo WolfsonJune 07, 2023

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, testifies on the REINS Act to the U.S. House Rules Committee on Monday.

Hageman Champions Bill That Would Limit Presidents Making Major Policy Rules

Wyoming Republican U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman is a vocal supporter of a bill that would limit presidents and federal agencies to direct major policy and rule-making without congressional approval.

Leo WolfsonJune 06, 2023

Long lines of people wait to vote in Cheyenne during the 2022 general election.

Wyoming County Clerks Want To Tighten Voter Residency Laws, Not Sure How To Do It

Wyoming’s county clerks say the state’s residency laws for voting need cleaning and tightening up, but they aren’t sure how to do it.

Leo WolfsonJune 06, 2023

State Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, leads the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, which sent a letter asking the state why gender surgeries aren't on the Wyoming Medicaid excluded list.

18 Wyoming Legislators Upset Transgender Surgeries Included Under Medicaid, But They Aren't

A group of Wyoming legislators wanted to know why transgender surgeries are no longer on the Medicaid-excluded list, but the Wyoming Department of Health says they have never been covered.

Leo WolfsonJune 06, 2023

Harriet Hageman speaks at a Casper, Wyoming, rally for former President Donald Trump in May 2022, where Trump also endorsed her campaign for the U.S. House.

Labeling Republicans, Christian Conservative Groups As Terrorists Is ‘Appalling,’ Hageman says

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman blasts the Biden administration and Department of Homeland Security for giving money to a program that lumps the Republican Party and Christian conservative groups in with others considered terrorists.

Leo WolfsonJune 05, 2023

Wind farms are popping up across southern Wyoming with more on the way.

Wyoming Truckers Say Over-Regulation, Declining Standards Have Destroyed Trucking Industry

Wyoming truckers tell Cowboy State Daily that federal regulations and declining standards allowed because of a critical shortage of drivers have “just destroyed” their industry.

Leo WolfsonJune 03, 2023

Secretary of State Chuck Gray wants Wyoming to divest itself of investments and business dealings with China.

Chuck Gray Wants Wyoming To Stop Doing Business With China

Saying he's concerned about the uncertain geopolitical and economic future of China, Secretary of State Chuck Gray wants Wyoming to remove itself from all investing in the Communist nation.

Leo WolfsonJune 02, 2023

Gillette Hate-Crime Ordinance Reaching Boiling Point Ahead Of Tuesday Vote

Gillette City Council and community split over proposed hate-crime ordinance as the council is set for a final vote Tuesday.

Leo WolfsonJune 02, 2023

Debt Ceiling Deal Allows Biden To Pass The Buck Beyond 2024 Election, Hageman Says

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman says she was one of the 117 votes against the debt ceiling legislation that passed the U.S. House on Wednesday because it doesn’t go far enough to rein in spending while allowing the Biden administration to postpone impacts beyond the 2024 election.

Leo WolfsonJune 01, 2023

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray wants the state to set a maximum-allowed 30-day residency requirement to vote.

Chuck Gray Targets Voting Residency To Make Sure Wyoming Elections Are Only For Wyoming Residents

Secretary of State Chuck Gray unveiled his proposal for tightening election residency requirements Tuesday, urging state lawmakers to adopt a max-allowed residency of 30 days to vote in Wyoming.

Leo WolfsonJune 01, 2023

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Although there's a large, empty dumpster at the west end of this rest stop along westbound Interstate 80 at exit 345, trash still piles up in the lot.

Trash Bins At Wyoming I-80 Rest Stops Lead To More Littering, Not Less, WYDOT Director Says

More litter piles up at Wyoming rest stops with trash bins than without, says Wyoming Department of Transportation director.

Leo WolfsonMay 31, 2023

Wyoming Department of Transportation data shows that 90% of commercial vehicle crashes along Interstate 80 through the Cowboy State involve out-of-state drivers.

Interstate 80 Through Wyoming A Huge Nightmare But No One Knows How To Fix It

While most Wyoming officials agree it was a particularly rough winter along Interstate 80, there are few solid answers about what can be done to make one of the most dangerous highways in the U.S. safer.

Leo WolfsonMay 31, 2023

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-California.

Harriet Hageman Defies US House Speaker McCarthy In Opposition Of Debt Ceiling Deal

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday she won’t support what some Republicans call a “turd sandwich” of a debt ceiling deal with President Joe Biden, in direct defiance of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Leo WolfsonMay 30, 2023

As Liz Cheney was introduced as the keynote speaker Sunday for the graduating class of Colorado College, some students turned their chairs to put their backs to her on stage, which is to the right out of frame.

Colorado College Grads Turn Backs To Alumnus Liz Cheney During Commencement Address

About half of Colorado College’s graduating class turned their chairs away from former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, a 1988 graduate of CC, during her commencement speech to the Class of 2023 on Sunday.

Leo WolfsonMay 30, 2023

What Does It Mean To Be 'Woke' In Wyoming? Depends On Who You Ask

Wyoming, and America, is waking up to “woke,” a powder-keg buzzword that’s become a fuse to provoke those who lean politically blue. Some use the word as a weapon while others embrace it as a rallying cry.

Leo WolfsonMay 29, 2023

Postal Service Snoops Through People’s Mail In Blatant Trampling Of Privacy, Sen. Cynthia Lummis Fears

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis wants to know how much tracking the federal government has been doing of Wyoming residents’ mail in blatant violation of the rights of Wyoming residents.

Leo WolfsonMay 27, 2023

State Rep. Ryan Berger, R-Evanston, is proposing the Legislature consider a bill that would allow undocumented residents who graduate from Wyoming high schools to be eligible for in-state tuition to state colleges.

Wyoming Republican Wants To Allow In-State College Tuition For Illegal Aliens

State Rep. Ryan Berger, R-Evanston, wants to explore the idea of letting undocumented immigrants receive in-state tuition at Wyoming’s higher education institutions.

Leo WolfsonMay 27, 2023

Sen. Bo Biteman Wants To Revive Failed Effort To Ban Sex And Gender Education In Wyoming Schools

Emotions ran hot during a Wyoming Legislature Joint Education Committee meeting Wednesday about parental control and teaching sex and gender issues to kids ages kindergarten through third grade.

Leo WolfsonMay 25, 2023

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Supreme Court Ruling For Western Ranchers Over EPA Is A Win For Private Property Rights

Wyomingites are celebrating a Thursday Supreme Court decision that the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped its authority to regulate private property wetlands. Former BLM Director William Pendley calls the ruling a “huge victory for landowners.”

Leo WolfsonMay 25, 2023

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