Government & Politics

Secretary of State Chuck urged the State Building Commission to quickly move forward with allowing the concealed carry of firearms in the State Capitol.

Voicemail Threatens “Retribution” If Chuck Gray Doesn’t Run A Clean Election

Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Tuesday received a profanity-laced voicemail which threatened him with “retribution” if he doesn’t run a clean primary election. Gray says he’s not intimidated and will “never back down” from doing his duty.

Leo WolfsonAugust 14, 2024

Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee introduces the second test of the voting machines on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2024.

No Issues Turn Up In Second Test Of Laramie County Voting Machines

A second test of Laramie County’s election equipment Tuesday didn’t find any issues with the voting machines. The attorney who filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Laramie County GOP, however, said the result of the test and the lawsuit are separate issues.

Leo WolfsonAugust 14, 2024

Sheridan state House candidate Gail Symons says she's fed up with the "100% lies" made in negative campaign mailers.

Gail Symons Fed Up With Mailers Saying She Loves High Property Taxes And Cheney

Sheridan state House candidate Gail Symons says she’s fed up with the “100% lies” about her made in campaign mailers. The latest one claims she’s a “proud supporter of Liz Cheney” and wants higher property taxes.

Leo WolfsonAugust 13, 2024

Chuck Gray Wants Quick Approval Of Concealed Carry In Wyoming Capitol

Secretary of State Chuck Gray urged Gov. Mark Gordon and the State Building Commission on Monday to move quickly to allow concealed carry of guns in the Wyoming Capitol.

Leo WolfsonAugust 13, 2024

Anger Over Wyoming Political Mailers Boiling Over As Primary Looms

The sheer volume of political mailers stuffing mailboxes ahead of the primary has Wyomingites turning from frustrated to angry. Then there’s what’s printed on them — an overdose of false and misleading claims.

Leo WolfsonAugust 12, 2024

Signs point the way to the Laramie County Clerk's Office in Cheyenne for people who want to vote early.

Laramie County Clerk Says Wyoming Republican Party Trying To “Disrupt” Election

The Laramie County Clerk says a lawsuit questioning a test of voting machines is an attempt by the Wyoming Republican Party to "disrupt" the primary election. Another test is planned for Tuesday.

Leo WolfsonAugust 12, 2024

Former President Donald Trump speaks to a packed house of supporters during Friday's rally in Bozeman, Montana.

Trump Cheered As He Rips Harris-Walz Campaign During Montana Rally

Former President Donald Trump ripped into Kamala Harris and her new VP pick in a packed-house Montana rally Friday. He also scored points with the crowd by taking shots at President “Sleepy Joe” Biden.

Leo WolfsonAugust 10, 2024

Thousands of people gathered outside the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in preparation of the Trump rally on Friday.

MAGA-Mania Takes Over Bozeman Ahead Of Trump Rally

Bozeman, Montana, was in full MAGA-mania mode Friday afternoon ahead of former President Donald Trump’s rally. Mechanical issues with Trump’s plane that forced an unscheduled landing in Billings had the city buzzing even more.

Leo WolfsonAugust 10, 2024

David Hill, left, and state Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams.

Cody State House Challenger Accuses Prominent Pro-Lifer Of Flip-Flopping

In a highly charged debate this week, Cody state House Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams was accused by her Republican challenger of flip-flopping. She countered, saying David Hill is “disconnected from reality.”

Leo WolfsonAugust 09, 2024

Senate President Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower.

Freedom Caucus PAC Returns Disputed $25K Donation From Crook County GOP

The campaign arm of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has returned a $25,000 donation made to it by the Crook County Republican Party. The move comes after Ogden Driskill filed a complaint and requested a state investigation into it.

Leo WolfsonAugust 08, 2024

Landon Brown Says Opponent Playing “Cheney Card” Won't Hurt Reelection Chances

Landon Brown’s Republican primary opponent has resurrected a 2022 CNN interview in which he praised Liz Cheney and called Trump “unfit for office.” He said Exie Brown playing the “Cheney card” won’t hurt his reelection chances.

Clair McFarlandAugust 08, 2024

An error message one of Laramie County's machines displayed during a Monday test.

Laramie County Republicans File Complaint After Election Equipment Test

The Laramie County Republican Party has submitted an official complaint Tuesday claiming a county test of election equipment was suspect. Party officials observing the test noted protocol not being followed and other concerns.

Leo WolfsonAugust 07, 2024

State Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, left, and Wyoming Republican Party Executive Director Kathy Russell.

Bob Nicholas Frustrated Over “Dishonest” Mailers Telling "Lies The Size Of Texas”

Cheyenne House member Bob Nicholas is voicing frustration over mailers opponent Kathy Russell is sending out. He says their claims that he wants trans surgeries for kids, LGBTQ books for young children and is friendly to China are "lies the size of Texas.”

Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2024

Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers says a rumor that he's somehow connected to the Chinese Communist Party is "the most ridiculous thing that I have ever heard in my life."

Albert Sommers Calls Claim He’s Working With Chinese Communists “Ridiculous”

Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, said he finds accusations by a primary opponent that he’s connected to the Chinese Communist Party “laughable” and “ridiculous.”

Leo WolfsonAugust 06, 2024

State Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, and primary challenger Matt Malcom.

Pair Of Gen Z Republicans Run For Cheyenne House District Seat

State Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, and Republican House challenger Matt Malcom, both 27, say their youth works for them. Both are among the few Gen Z candidates in the Wyoming primary and aren’t shy sounding off on each other.

Leo WolfsonAugust 06, 2024

Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower.

Driskill Files Complaint Over County Party’s $25K Donation To Freedom Caucus PAC

Senate President Ogden Driskill thinks a $25,000 Crook County Republicans donation to the Wyoming Freedom Caucus PAC is illegal. He filed a complaint Monday with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Leo WolfsonAugust 05, 2024

Wyoming lawmakers are shown the difference between the southern border wall built by former President Donald Trump on the right, and a smaller section built by President Joe Biden on the left.

"Every State Is A Border State": Border Wall Visit Eye-Opening For Wyoming Legislators

A group of Wyoming legislators say the impact the Mexican crime cartels are having on the border crisis is sobering. All said they will support legislation that would give money specifically for more law enforcement efforts at the border in Arizona.

Leo WolfsonAugust 04, 2024

State Reps. Ember Oakley, R-Riverton, left, and Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander.

Targets Of Wyoming Freedom PAC Mailers Send Cease And Desist Demand

Two Fremont County legislators say they may sue the campaign arm of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus if it doesn’t stop sending false mailers to voters.

Clair McFarlandAugust 02, 2024

A U.S. Border Patrol agent documents a group of illegal immigrants who crossed into the United States near Yuma, Arizona, in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2024.

Wyoming Legislators Watch Migrants Illegally Cross Border In Arizona

A group of Wyoming state legislators watched migrants illegally cross the border early Friday morning as they toured the border area in Yuma, Arizona. Cowboy State Daily joined the lawmakers as they saw for themselves America’s border crisis.

Leo WolfsonAugust 02, 2024

State Rep. Cody Wylie, left, and Secretary of State Chuck Gray

Chuck Gray Defends False Campaign Mailers Targeting Wyoming Candidates

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Wednesday defended false campaign mailers targeting some candidates. Among other misleading statements, they falsely claim legislators voted to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot.

Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2024

House District 9 candidate Exie Brown speaks during the Laramie County Republican Party's Politics in the Park event Wednesday night. He accused his opponent, state Rep. Landon Brown, left, of "flip-flopping" on votes.

Landon Brown Accused Of Being a "Flip-Flopper" On Trans Sports Policy

Challenger Exie Brown said Rep. Landon Brown voted against a bill prohibiting males identifying as females from participating in female-designated school sports in 2022, but then voted to support it in 2023. “That kind of flip-flop would make John Kerry blush,” Exie said.

Leo WolfsonAugust 01, 2024

A lack of affordable housing is a serious problem in many Wyoming communities. The Legislature will consider a bill in its next session that could make state-owned land available for affordable housing projects.

Wyoming Legislators Debate Using State-Owned Land For Affordable Housing

A Wyoming legislative committee advanced a bill Tuesday that would allow affordable housing to be built on state-owned land. Critics says the state shouldn’t get into the landlord business and has a constitutional obligation to maximize revenue.