Government & Politics
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Republican Brent Bien First To Announce Campaign For Wyoming Governor In 2026
Cody Republican Brent Bien told Cowboy State Daily on Saturday at the Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee meeting in Big Piney that he’s running for governor in 2026. He also ran for governor in 2022 but lost to Mark Gordon in the primary.
Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024
Trump And Republican Congress Could Throw Out Controversial Rock Springs Plan
With Trump returning to the White House and Republicans taking over the Senate and House, the BLM’s controversial Rock Springs Resource Management Plan could get derailed. It could get killed outright.
Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024
Arizona AG Ends Investigation Into Trump's "War Hawk" Comments About Liz Cheney
The Arizona attorney general has closed an investigation into Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Liz Cheney being a "war hawk." Her investigation showed there was “no reasonable likelihood that we could obtain a conviction for Trump’s statements.”
Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024
Barrasso And Lummis Say Matt Gaetz Will Be Treated Fairly
Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis both said U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will be treated fairly while he is being considered for the position of Attorney General. Neither, however, endorsed his selection outright.
Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024
Gordon Unveils $692 Million Supplemental Budget — One-Third For Wildfires
Gov. Mark Gordon unveiled his $692 million proposed supplemental budget Thursday, a plan he said promotes fiscal conservatism and sets Wyoming up for a strong future. Nearly one-third of that is earmarked for fighting wildfires.
Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024
Legislative Leaders Debate Tax Relief, Visions For Wyoming’s Future
It was a meeting of old vs. new Thursday as incoming and outgoing Wyoming legislative leaders were on stage together. Senate President Ogden Driskill and Reps. John Bear and Trey Sherwood debated tax relief and their visions for Wyoming’s future.
Leo WolfsonNovember 14, 2024
Failing LaPrele Dam Near Douglas Leaves Farmers With No Good Options
There doesn't seem to be any good options for people living below the 115-year-old LaPrele Dam near Douglas which is failing. It's scheduled to be breached by April 1, 2025.
Mark HeinzNovember 14, 2024
Chuck Gray Says Animosity Toward Mark Gordon Not Personal
Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Thursday said his longstanding feud with Gov. Mark Gordon is nothing personal. He says it dates back to the governor’s vetoing one of his bills five years ago and a series of actions since then that he disagrees with.
Leo WolfsonNovember 14, 2024
Jon Tester Lost Senate Race And They’re Still Running Negative Ads Against Him
Although incumbent Montana Sen. Jon Tester lost his race for U.S. Senate, that hasn’t stopped a barrage of attack ads running against him. No one seems to know why they’re continuing, but they are.
David MadisonNovember 14, 2024
Powell School District Vows To Push Legislature For Separate Bathrooms Law
The board of the Park County School District 1 passed a resolution Tuesday, vowing to lobby the Wyoming Legislature for a law separating boys’ and girls’ school bathrooms.
Clair McFarlandNovember 13, 2024
It’s Official — Barrasso Elected To No. 2 Leadership Role In U.S. Senate
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso was elected Senate whip on Wednesday, the No. 2 leadership position in the U.S. Senate.
Leo WolfsonNovember 13, 2024
Canvassing Board Certifies Wyoming Election Despite Weston County Miscount
A miscount in Weston County during last week’s general election had the Wyoming Canvassing Board considering Wednesday to not certify the election. The results were certified despite the controversy.
Leo WolfsonNovember 13, 2024
Jackson's New Swinging Bridge Open 9 Months Early, Still Doesn’t Really Swing
A new replacement of the historic Swinging Bridge crossing the Snake River south of Jackson, Wyoming, is finished nine months early. And like the original, the bridge doesn’t actually swing.
Andrew RossiNovember 13, 2024
Eggs Harder To Come By In Colorado, Some Blame New Cage-Free Law
Many Coloradans have noticed an egg shortage, and some are blaming a new state law requiring big egg producers to go cage-free by Jan. 1.
Clair McFarlandNovember 13, 2024
Powell Man Who Sent Vulgar Email To State Legislator Elected To City Council
Troy Bray became a political pariah around Wyoming in 2021 when he sent a vulgar email to a state legislator urging her to kill herself. Last week, he was elected to Powell City Council.
Leo WolfsonNovember 13, 2024
Who’s Going To Lead The Wyoming Legislature? Lawmakers Lobby For Support
A clearer vision of what the leadership for the upcoming 68th Wyoming Legislature will look like is starting to emerge as legislators lobby for support. It’s also possible Democrats will be held off a few critical committees.
Leo WolfsonNovember 12, 2024
Trump Picks South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem To Head Homeland Security
President-elect Donald Trump has picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to run the Department of Homeland Security, according to multiple reports Tuesday. She’ll be tasked with securing the southern border.
David MadisonNovember 12, 2024
UW Eyes Change Of Campus Gun Policy To Allow Concealed Carry
The University of Wyoming might change its policy regarding carrying guns on campus. Now, it's essentially banned, but allowing concealed carry may be in a draft rule expected to be announced Wednesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 12, 2024
Lummis Uncommitted For Senate Majority Leader, Calls Report She's Backing Thune "Fake News"
With the U.S. Senate leadership elections coming up Wednesday, Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis says she’s uncommitted on who she’ll support for majority leader. She says a report that she's backing John Thune is "fake news."
Leo WolfsonNovember 12, 2024
Critics And Supporters Both Think Trump Can Achieve Bold Trans Policies
In a video that went viral over the weekend, President-Elect Donald Trump vowed to cut federal funding for all transgender-related treatments, and ban those treatments for children. Supporters and detractors of the plan both think Trump can pull it off.
Clair McFarlandNovember 12, 2024
Records Show UW Volleyball Players Split On Playing Team With Trans Player
Records of University of Wyoming communications show the women’s volleyball team was split on playing a team with a transgender player. Even so, UW leaders say they made the call to cancel games against San Jose State University.
Clair McFarlandNovember 12, 2024
Weston County Election Miscount Has Locals, and Chuck Gray, Irate
Weston County officials are investigating how more than 1,100 votes were not counted in a state House race on Election Day. When Chuck Gray noticed the error, he called the Weston County sheriff and asked him to locate the county clerk, which he did at home.
Leo WolfsonNovember 11, 2024
Barrasso: Trump Is Comeback King, Get Ready For Deportations And Tax Cuts
Appearing on "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Sen. John Barrasso said President-elect Donald Trump has received an overwhelming mandate and with this mandate will come mass deportations and tax cuts.
Jimmy OrrNovember 11, 2024
Worland’s Grant Ujifusa, Who Changed Reagan’s Mind And Was Knighted By Japan, Dies
Grant Ujifusa helped persuade President Ronald Reagan to support reparations for Japanese Americans interned at camps like Heart Mountain during World War II. Ujifusa, who grew up in Wyoming, has died and will be buried in Worland. He was 82.
Renée JeanNovember 11, 2024
University Volleyball Team With Trans Player Headed To Playoffs
The San Jose State University women’s volleyball team is headed to the Mountain West Conference playoffs, the conference announced Saturday. Multiple teams in the Mountain West, including Wyoming, have refused to play the team citing safety and unfairness concerns.
Clair McFarlandNovember 10, 2024
UW Forfeits Second Volleyball Match Against Team With Transgender Player
The University of Wyoming athletics department announced Friday it would forfeit its upcoming women's volleyball match against San Jose State University. The California team features a formidable outside hitter whom court documents and fellow players say is transgender.
Clair McFarlandNovember 09, 2024
NYTimes Reports Lummis Being Considered To Be Next Secretary Of Interior
Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis is being considered to be the next head of the U.S. Department of the Interior in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, The New York Times reported Friday.
Leo WolfsonNovember 09, 2024
Bozeman, Montana, Voters Make History With Vote To Ban Plastic Bags
Bozeman, Montana, became the first city in the U.S. to vote to ban single-use plastic bags by a citizens' ballot initiative this week. Like a similar ordinance struck down in Cheyenne last year, the ban could still face stiff opposition.
David MadisonNovember 08, 2024
Bill To Ban People From Suing Wyoming Cops For “Negligent Investigations” Advances
The Joint Judiciary Committee advanced a bill Thursday that would ban people from suing cops for their “negligent investigations.”
Clair McFarlandNovember 08, 2024
Bill Advances To Make Getting Rid Of Squatters In Wyoming Easier
Legislators advanced a bill Thursday to make getting rid of squatters in Wyoming easier. Among other things, it gives local law enforcement more authority to remove squatters for property owners.
Leo WolfsonNovember 08, 2024
Public Will Get Instant Vote Tallies Starting Next Wyoming Legislative Session
The Wyoming’s Legislature’s Management Council unanimously passed a proposal Thursday that will give the public an electronic scorecard of how legislators vote in real time starting in the 2025 session.
Leo WolfsonNovember 08, 2024
Unlike Other Universities, UW Not Offering Therapy After Trump Win
Many major universities are offering “election care” services like dog-petting and Lego-building to help students emotionally deal with the election after Trump's win. But not the University of Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandNovember 08, 2024
On 3-2 Vote, Wyoming Officials OK $100M Kelly Parcel Sale To Grand Teton Park
On a 3-2 vote, the State Board of Land Commissioners approved a conditional $100 million sale of the controversial Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park. The money may be used to buy mineral-rich federal land in the Powder River Basin.
Leo WolfsonNovember 07, 2024
Wyoming Swings Farther To The Political Right In Presidential Election
As a whole, Wyoming showed more support for former President Donald Trump than it did in 2020. In a few Wyoming precincts, support for Trump was nearly unanimous.
Leo WolfsonNovember 07, 2024
GOP Transplants Push Sheehy Past Incumbent Jon Tester In Montana Senate Race
Republican transplants moving into Montana gave GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy a win over incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who was seeking a fourth term. The race was called Wednesday.
David MadisonNovember 07, 2024
Wyoming Election Shows Spending Big Doesn't Always Pay Off
For the most part, those who spent more in Tuesday’s general election in Wyoming were mostly successful — but not always.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Amendment A Passes To Separate Residential Property Taxes In Wyoming
A constitutional amendment to move residential property taxes into a separate class of taxation in Wyoming passed on Tuesday night.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Senate District 10: Republican Crum Claims Seat as Furphy Steps Down
In Laramie, Republican Gary Crum defeated Democrat Mike Selmer on Tuesday in the race for the Wyoming Senate District 10 seat being vacated by Republican Dan Furphy.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
Riverton School Board Candidate Gets Votes Even After Molestation Case Went Public
Riverton school board candidate Hunter DeVries received at least 509 votes Tuesday after his child-molestation case went public. Including absentee ballots and early voting, he won 1,016 total, which wasn’t enough to win the seat.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
House District 13: Chestek Holds Off Republican Swett
Keeping with a trend of incumbent Democrats winning in Albany County, Ken Chestek held off Republican challenger Shane Swett on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
Gary Brown Holds On To Beat Democratic Challenger For Cheyenne’s HD 41
Cheyenne resident Gary Brown has won the election for House District 41, holding off Democratic challenger Jen Solis.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Political Newcomer Jacob Wasserburger Beats Burglingame To Win HD 11
Republican Jacob Wasserburger beat LGBTQ advocate and former state legislator Sara Burlingame for House District 11 in Cheyenne in Tuesday’s general election.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Trump Crushes Kamala 71% To 25% In Wyoming, Largest Margin In Nation
Former President Donald Trump coasted to another landslide victory in Wyoming, crushing Kamala 71% to 25%. It’s also the largest margin of victory for Trump in the nation.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Fremont County Defeats Half-Percent Tax For Economic Development
Fremont County voters defeated the proposed renewal of a half-percent tax for economic development. The tax funds air and ground transportation, and numerous grants to private businesses and groups.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Tribal Leader Ivan Posey, D, Upends Penn To Win Wyoming Reservation District
Ivan Posey will be the only enrolled tribal member serving on the Wyoming Legislature after his victory Tuesday for House District 33 over incumbent Sarah Penn.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
House District 60: Freedom Caucus Gains Seat With Brady Win
Green River Republican Marlene Brady won her bid for House District 60 on Tuesday night, beating Democratic challenger Carmen Whitehead by 1,531 votes.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Senate District 12: Incumbent Republican Kolb Gets Comfortable Win
State Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, easily held on to his seat Tuesday night, beating Democratic challenger and former state legislator Kenilynn Zanetti by 2,486 votes.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Democrat Sherwood Secures Third Term In HD 14 For Albany County
Democrat Trey Sherwood held her Wyoming House District 14 seat in Albany County for a third term, beating Republican challenger Joe Giustozzi on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
House District 47: Bob Davis, R, Keeps His Sweetwater County Seat
In District 47, Robert Davis, Republican incumbent, beat Democratic challenger James Wilson on Tuesday to continue serving in Wyoming’s House of Representatives.
Jackie DorothyNovember 06, 2024
Provenza Wins Third Term In House District 45, Holds Seat For Wyoming Dems
Incumbent Democrat Karlee Provenza of Laramie won a third term in Wyoming House District 45 on Tuesday. She holds the seat for state Democrats, beating Republican challenger Paul Crouch.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
House District 10: Eklund, R, Rolls To Easy Win To Retain Seat In Legislature
John Eklund, R-Cheyenne, won reelection to his House District 10 seat Tuesday with a huge margin of nearly 2,000 votes over his challenger, Timothy Forbis.
Renée JeanNovember 06, 2024
House District 28: Winter, R, Wins Another Term in Wyoming House
Wyoming House District 28 went to incumbent Republican John Winter, who handily beat Democratic challenger Larry Alwin on Tuesday.
Jackie DorothyNovember 06, 2024
House District 29: Incumbent Pendergraft Has Big Lead In Sheridan County
Republican Ken Pendergraft was on his way to winning another term representing House District 29 in Sheridan County late Tuesday. He had 72% of the vote with more than a third of the votes counted.
Andrew RossiNovember 06, 2024
House District 57: Julie Jarvis Keeps Seat For Republicans With Big Win
Casper Republican Julie Jarvis on Tuesday easily defeated independent challenger Tyler Cessor to claim the House District 57 race. Cessor had dropped out prior to Election Day.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 06, 2024
House District 42: Geringer, R, Says He’s “Humbled” To Be Elected
Republican businessman Rob Geringer of Cheyenne seems to have beaten Democratic challenger Bob Ray for Wyoming House District 42.
Dale KillingbeckNovember 06, 2024
House District 7: Republican Incumbent Bob Nicholas Cruises To Win
Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, easily won reelection to House District 7 in Tuesday’s general election.
Renée JeanNovember 06, 2024
Senate District 8: Olsen Will Return To Legislature With Win
State Rep. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne, beat Democratic challenger Marguerite Herman by a sizeable margin Tuesday night.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
House District 4: Haroldson Easily Reelected, Gets 76% Of Platte County Vote
Republican Jeremy Haroldson was easily reelected to the Wyoming House District 4 seat, getting 76% of the vote in Platte County on Tuesday.
Andrew RossiNovember 06, 2024
Cowboy State Daily Live Video Election Coverage, Nov 5, 2024
Cowboy State Daily's live video election coverage on election night -- November 5, 2024
November 06, 2024
Barrasso Wins Reelection To Fourth Term In U.S. Senate
Cowboy State Daily is reporting Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso has been reelected to a fourth term in office Tuesday.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Hageman Wins Reelection For Second Term In Congress
Cowboy State Daily is reporting Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman has won her reelection bid for a second term as Wyoming’s only U.S. House representative.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Wyoming Expects $122 Million Surplus Behind Surge In Oil And Gas Production
The latest CREG report released last week shows Wyoming can expect a $122 million surplus behind a surge in oil and gas production. But coal, once the state’s cash cow, continues to decline.
Leo WolfsonNovember 05, 2024
44% Of Wyoming Registered Voters Have Already Cast Ballots
A huge voting period came to a close Monday in Wyoming with 44% of registered voters having already cast ballots. That translates to 112,824 people had voted statewide -- just over 4,000 votes per day.
Leo WolfsonNovember 05, 2024
Gillette Library's 'Books Of Shame' Headed To Adult Section
The Campbell County Public Library system's board voted last week to disband its "new adult" section. Many visitors took that to mean new books for adults, but the section actually shelved controversial books for a younger audience.
Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2024
Bipartisan Outrage Over New York Killing Social Media Star Peanut The Squirrel
New York’s killing of social media star Peanut the Squirrel has drawn outrage from liberals and conservatives across the country. Critics say the backlash shows government overreach is out of control.
Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2024
Degenfelder Calls Gordon’s Move To Sell Kelly Parcel 'Backroom Maneuvering’
Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder on Monday criticized Gov. Mark Gordon’s push to sell the controversial Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park for $100 million. She called the move “backroom maneuvering.”
Leo WolfsonNovember 04, 2024
History Shows Write-In Candidates Almost Never Win In Wyoming, So Why Run?
Write-in campaigns have a notoriously low chance of succeeding, but there are a few write-in candidates running across Wyoming this November. Why run? They believe it’s the right thing to do.
Leo WolfsonNovember 04, 2024
Polls Say Trump Will Win Big In Wyoming; Barrasso & Hageman As Popular As Ever
No surprises at all in two Wyoming polls released on Friday. Former President Trump is expected to crush Kamala Harris as he remains as popular as ever in Wyoming. Both Barrasso and Hageman have sky-high numbers too and should win easily on Tuesday.
Leo WolfsonNovember 02, 2024
Recommendation Is For Wyoming To Sell Kelly Parcel To Feds For $100 Million
Wyoming’s top elected officials will decide Thursday whether to sell the Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park. The State Land and Investment Board recommended Friday the state sell the pristine 640 acres to the park for $100 million.
Leo WolfsonNovember 02, 2024
115-Year-Old LaPrele Dam Close To Failure, Will Be Breached
The aging 115-year-old LaPrele Dam southwest of Douglas is in danger of catastrophic failure, so it will be preemptively breached, state officials confirmed Friday. Whether it will be rebuilt is a question for the Legislature.
Mark HeinzNovember 01, 2024
Trump Says Media Misreports Cheney War Hawk Comment As Personal Threat
Former President Donald Trump called Liz Cheney a "radical war hawk" on Thursday and said she would “understand how it feels” to be at war if she had a gun pointed at her. The national media has exploded, calling the remark a personal threat, which Trump denies.
Leo WolfsonNovember 01, 2024
Rock Springs Senator Accuses Former Legislator Opponent Of Pushing A Kamala Agenda
Republican incumbent Wyoming state Sen. John Kolb is being challenged by a former legislator for his seat, Democrat Kenilynn Zanetti. He says a vote for her is the same as voting for Kamala Harris, which she says isn’t true.
Leo WolfsonNovember 01, 2024