Government & Politics | Cowboy State Daily

Fremont Clerk Says Guggenmos Ineligible For Reelection But Up To Chuck Gray

Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese told Rep. Joel Guggenmos that he's not eligible to run for reelection this year because he lived outside his district. However, Secretary of State Chuck Gray must make the final decision.

Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2026

Fiery Reception For Chuck Gray As Lawmakers Punt On Racial Gerrymandering Dispute

Protestors carried signs criticizing Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Friday at a committee meeting in Lander, as the secretary urged lawmakers to address potential racial gerrymandering. Legislators declined to take action on the issue.

Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2026

People are blaming — and crediting — the Wyoming Freedom Caucus for the Wyoming Legislature’s nearly $4 billion school spending package. Whether the caucus deserves either depends on whom you ask. It had “overwhelming support” across the Legislature. Above, Freedom Caucus members outside the state Capitol in Cheyenne during the 2026 legislative session.

Why Are People Blaming The Freedom Caucus For $4 Billion School Funding Package?

People are blaming — and crediting — the Wyoming Freedom Caucus for the Legislature's nearly $4 billion school spending package. Whether the caucus deserves either depends on whom you ask, but the package had "overwhelming support" from both parties.

Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2026

After Attorney General Says Don't, Converse County Won’t Fast-Track Data Centers

Converse County this week rescinded an order that could have fast-tracked data centers and given the county more control in the process. It's a legal issue. But people also "lost their minds” when they heard “fast-track,” said a local legislator.

Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2026

Former BLM Director Says Steve Pearce’s Confirmation Is Good News For Wyoming

A former BLM director says Steve Pearce’s confirmation to lead agency is good news for Wyoming’s energy industries, ranchers and land use. “It’s supposed to be used for all sorts of things,” William Perry Pendley said about federal public lands.

Kate MeadowsMay 21, 2026

Wyoming regulators are cracking down on bar raffle games like Queen of Hearts and Music Bingo that raise money charities, saying they’re illegal gambling. Above, Brian "Alf" Grzegorczyk has helped raise more than $4.5 million for local charities through his Thankful Thursday events.

Charity Bar Games Getting Shut Down By Wyoming Gambling Crackdown

Wyoming regulators are cracking down on bar raffle games like Queen of Hearts and Music Bingo that raise money for charities, saying they’re illegal gambling. “Why is horse racing an exception, but not charity?” asks an event organizer.

Renée JeanMay 21, 2026

Data Center Rumors Provoke Fear, Concern In Lincoln County

Rumors of a data center development in Lincoln County has provoked fear as locals get more vocal against them. “Everybody’s talking about them,” a county commissioner said — and jumping the gun, because there are now no data center projects on the table.

Kate MeadowsMay 20, 2026

State politicos told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that the Trump-driven ousting of Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sends a message to Wyoming and the nation. “Don’t step out of line,” says a former legislator. “If you do, you’ll get the boot.”

‘Don’t Step Out Of Line’: Massie Loss A Message To All Republican Candidates

State politicos told Cowboy State Daily that the Trump-driven ousting of Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sends a message to Wyoming and the nation. “Don’t step out of line,” says a former legislator. “If you do, you’ll get the boot.”

Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2026

An industry lawyer calls last week's unanimous Supreme Court decision that trucking brokers are liable for hiring unsafe drivers “a monumental victory.” All three branches of federal government are cracking down on sketchy trucking practices.

Crackdown On Sketchy Trucking Practices Continues With Supreme Court Decision

An industry lawyer calls the Supreme Court's unanimous decision that trucking brokers are liable for hiring unsafe drivers “a monumental victory.” All three branches of federal government are cracking down on sketchy trucking practices.

Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2026

Looks Like Feds Won't Let Wyoming Invest Trump-Backed Health Care Grants

The federal government looks likely to reject Wyoming's plan to invest roughly $1 billion in projected Trump-backed grants for rural medical services. Wyoming has to spend the money quickly instead, which leaves one economist full of questions and concerns.

Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2026

A long line of people formed on both sides of the room during an emotional, four-hour hearing before the Public Services Committee on a moratorium for new data centers.

Cheyenne City Committee Won’t Support — Or Reject — Data Center Moratorium

Cheyenne’s Public Service Committee didn’t endorse or reject a 12-month moratorium on new data centers after hours of emotional testimony Monday. State legislators say the clash exposes issues the Wyoming Legislature may need to address.

Renée JeanMay 19, 2026

Many Counties See Huge Last-Minute Crossovers To Vote In Wyoming’s GOP Primary

Many Wyoming county clerks report a rush of last-minute crossover registrations to vote in the Republican primary — just ahead of last week's deadline. The state Democratic Party discourages crossover voting, while some elected Democrats encourage it.

Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2026

Senate Confirms Darin Smith As US Attorney Days After 'Flagrant' Misconduct Finding

The U.S. Senate voted 46-43 Monday to confirm Darin Smith as U.S. Attorney for Wyoming — four days after the state's three federal judges ruled he committed "flagrant" misconduct. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis voted in Smith's favor.

Clair McFarlandMay 18, 2026

Opposition to Cheyenne data centers is growing as residents become more vocal and sign petitions against them. One councilman says development has happened so fast, it’s "completely outstripped the ability of the county and the city to plan."

Two More Data Centers Possible As Laramie County Planners OK Massive Man Camp

Two more possible data center projects are on the horizon even as Laramie County planners have recommended approval of a massive 5,600-person man camp to house workers. “I did not feel like our voices were considered or heard," said one local resident.

Kate MeadowsMay 18, 2026

Gov. Hopeful Barlow Is Latest To Face ‘The Gentry’ — Riverton’s Political Old Guard

Facing the pointed questions of Riverton’s old-guard coffee group, known as “The Gentry," has become a proving ground for serious Wyoming political candidates. Those in government should “do your damn job,” governor hopeful Eric Barlow told the group Monday.

Clair McFarlandMay 18, 2026

Rebecca Bextel, a conservative political activist from Teton County, is running for the Constitution Party's nomination for governor in hopes of getting enough votes to make the Constitution Park Wyoming third major political party.

Constitution Party Hopes Bextel Run For Governor Makes Wyoming A Three-Party State

Running Rebecca Bextel as a Constitution Party nominee for governor is part of a larger strategy to get enough votes to make Wyoming a three-party state. “We are transitioning from a protest party to a legitimate party,” says the party’s chairman.

Clair McFarlandMay 15, 2026

After A Sheridan County Schools Chief Fired, Two Board Members Quit On The Spot

After a Sheridan county school board voted 3-2 Wednesday to terminate its superintendent’s contracts, two board members quit on the spot. A "lack of decision-making” by the board made the termination not surprising, says the former schools chief.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026

'Trump Interstate' Proposed For All 1,800 Miles Of Highway 287, Lummis Supports

The 460 miles of Highway 287 in Wyoming would be called the "Trump Interstate" if federal legislation passes renaming the entire highway stretching from Texas to Montana. The "I-47 Future Interstate Act" would designate US-287 as a future interstate.

Greg Johnson & Kolby FedoreMay 14, 2026

Allemand Going To White House, Gets A Break From Random Alcohol Tests

Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand, who was charged late last year with drunk driving, doesn’t have to undergo court-ordered random alcohol testing while he’s in Washington, D.C., with other lawmakers, a Buffalo-based magistrate has decided.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026

Gray Wants Gordon To Act To Change Wyoming’s Race-Based House Voting District

A day after Secretary of State Chuck Gray asked Fremont County commissioners to take “immediate” steps to eliminate a race-based county voting district, he sent a similar letter to Gov. Mark Gordon about Wyoming’s lone race-based state House district.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026

Wyoming congressional delegation is firmly behind the Trump administration’s move to rescind the 2001 federal Roadless Rule. But opponents of doing away with the rule say that will get grizzlies killed and derail efforts to delist them.

Opponents Say Rescinding Roadless Rule Will Get Grizzlies Killed, Derail Delisting

At a press conference Wednesday to voice concern over the expected rescinding of the 2001 federal Roadless Rule in national forests, opponents said doing away with the rule will get more grizzlies killed and could derail delisting.

Mark HeinzMay 13, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray (right) and Fremont County Commissioner Clarence Thomas

Chuck Gray Tells Fremont County To End Race-Based Districting Immediately

After the Supreme Court blocked a racial gerrymander, Secretary of State Chuck Gray told the Fremont County Commission on Tuesday to eliminate its race-based district. Commissioner Clarence Thomas said it's not about race but unique cultural divisions.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026

Teton County GOP leader Rebecca Bextel during testimony Thursday for the House investigative committee about checks she handed out to legislators on the House floor on Feb. 9, 2026.

CheckGate's Rebecca Bextel Running For Governor With Wyoming Constitution Party

The Jackson woman who gained notoriety for passing out campaign donation checks on the state House floor is running for the Wyoming Constitution Party nomination to be governor. Rebecca Bextel announced it Wednesday morning, the party chair confirmed.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026

Lummis, Barrasso Plan To Vote For Darin Smith Confirmation

The confirmation vote for President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith is now set for next week. Both U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis plan to vote in his favor.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026