Government & Politics
News
After Election Loss, Reid Rasner Sues A Sixth Person For Defamation
Reid Rasner, who placed fifth in last Tuesday’s Republican primary election for Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat, is suing a sixth person for defamation. This one, against a Missouri-based civil rights attorney, was filed in federal court on Monday.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2026
Wyoming State Agencies Spend Millions On Commercials, Lawmakers Split On Appropriateness
Wyoming state agencies spend millions annually on commercials - some for required notices, some to influence driver behavior and some to promote vaccines. Legislators vary on where they draw the line with funding government ads.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2026
Enough! Evanston Man Says He's Leaving The State Over Property Rights Fight
An Evanston man is so frustrated over a property rights fight with the town, he's moving to Utah. The man said the town demanded he remove a steel container from his private lot but aren't doing anything about the "trashy trailers" throughout the town.
Kate MeadowsAugust 25, 2026
At Monday Press Conference, Game And Fish Refuses To Discuss Director's Departure
Wyoming Game and Fish’s interim leadership team declined to address former director Angi Bruce's abrupt Aug. 6 departure during a press conference Monday. "I will not be addressing the transition that occurred a few weeks ago," the interim director said.
Mark HeinzAugust 25, 2026
Polls: Wyoming Has Highest Approval Rating Of President Trump In The Nation
President Trump’s approval rating may be dropping nationally but remains the highest in Wyoming. Two national polls say Wyoming has the highest approval rating for the president. Wyoming gives Trump a 14% net approval in The Economist poll and 22% in Newsweek.
Clair McFarlandAugust 24, 2026
Governor's Race: Write-In Effort For Brent Bien Emerges, But He's Not Behind It
A groundswell of Brent Bien supporters are vowing to write him in for Wyoming's gubernatorial race in the general election. Bien told Cowboy State Daily he's flattered, but not pushing a write-in campaign. “I’ve got plenty to do, personal stuff," he said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 24, 2026
Another Trump Call For Imported Beef Riles Up Wyoming Ranchers
Wyoming ranchers are riled at President Trump’s Friday announcement that the U.S. will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported without tariffs. They say Wyoming would be better off if allowed to sell state-inspected beef across state lines.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2026
PAC That Spent $550K Helping Freedom Caucus Had 87% Failure Rate
For Virginia-based PAC “Make Liberty Win” $479,000 of the $550,000 it spent helping Freedom Caucus-aligned candidates went to lost races. Sen. Cale Case, who was targeted by the group, said he was unsurprised: "(People) are really tired of the negative campaigning.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2026
After Director Quits, People Asking What’s Up With Wyoming Game And Fish?
As fall hunting season nears, Wyoming Game and Fish is facing public scrutiny after the sudden resignation of Director Angi Bruce and the appointment of an interim director. In a rare move, Game and Fish will give a state of the agency update Monday.
Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2026
Campaign Signs Are Classified As Trash By All Of Wyoming's Municipalities
Now that Wyoming’s primary election has come and gone, the innumerable campaign signs that popped up over the last year are starting to disappear. Although they could be re-used for many things, they are classified as trash by all Wyoming municipalities.
Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2026
Authorities Not Saying If False Rasner Trump Endorsement Text Brings Consequences
Authorities are tight-lipped or uncertain over whether consequences could follow a mysterious text blast on Primary Election Day that said — falsely — that President Donald Trump had endorsed U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026
Libertarian Party Nominates Republican Cale Case And Democrat Karlee Provenza
In a statement about how it should be able to send anyone it chooses into the election, the Libertarian Party nominated Republican Sen. Cale Case and Democrat Rep. Karlee Provenza at its convention. The Secretary of State’s Office rejected the nominations.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026
No, Closet Democrats Didn't Nominate Republican Barlow For Gov., Politicos Say
Despite claims that Eric Barlow won the Republican primary for governor due to closet Democrats, political analysts disagree. Also, an analysis of voter registration and turnout percentages predicts Barlow winning even without the margin of likely crossover.
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2026
Wyoming Freedom Caucus Says It’s Not Dead After Devastating Primary Losses
After Tuesday's Republican primary election gutted the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, the caucus says it’s far from dead — and will regroup. “I don’t think any of us anticipated this kind of loss,” said former chair John Bear.
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2026
The Great Wyoming Freedom Caucus Massacre — By The Numbers
After Tuesday’s primary, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is being gutted from about a 35-member bloc in the state House to about 10. Of those likely to reach the House after the general election, about 43 say they don’t align with the controversial caucus.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026
Primary Election Winners: Curt Meier Got The Best Deal Per Vote, Chuck Gray The Worst
Among Wyoming GOP primary election winners, Treasurer Curt Meier got the best deal of campaign expense per vote at $1.61, and U.S. House nominee Chuck Gray the worst, at $44. Including the runners-up, Reid Rasner spent the most with a staggering $209 per vote.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026
Near-Total Massacre For Freedom Caucus In Wyoming Primary
Tuesday marked a rough night for the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, as its members and allies fell to a slew of legislative newcomers in the Republican primary election. "Wyoming citizens spoke loud and clear tonight!" said caucus critic Rep. Landon Brown.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026
Wyoming Primary Roundup: Other Contested Races
Cowboy State Daily is publishing stories the state's most important contested races in Tuesday’s Wyoming primary. Here are briefs summing up other contested primary races.
August 19, 2026
Incumbent Julie Jarvis Tops Former Freedom Caucus Rep. Ward In Casper's HD 57
Incumbent Julie Jarvis handily defeated former Freedom Caucus member Jeanette Ward on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2024 race for House District 57 in Casper. “It was an incredible win for Wyoming in that context,” Jarvis said of Freedom Caucus defeats.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 19, 2026
Gillette Incumbent Angelos Wins GOP Nod For Senate District 33
Wyoming State Rep. Abby Angelos won the Republican nomination for Senate District 33 in Cambell County, beating challenger Dwayne Dillinger by nearly 400 votes.
Jen KocherAugust 19, 2026
UW Professor Cameron Wright Defeats Incumbent Ocean Andrew in Laramie's HD 46
Cameron Wright, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and University of Wyoming engineering professor, defeated incumbent Ocean Andrew in the GOP primary election for House District 46 in Albany County. He'll face Democrat Gary Wilken in November.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026
Freedom Caucus Champion John Bear Upended By Political Newcomer In Campbell County
Wyoming Freedom Caucus champion and incumbent state Rep. John Bear was upended by political newcomer Doug Moore in his reelection bid in Tuesday’s Campbell County Republican primary.
Jen KocherAugust 19, 2026
Ogden Driskill Beats Chip Neiman, Says It's A "Solid Rejection Of Freedom Caucus"
Sen. Ogden Driskill fended off House Speaker Chip Neiman in a 51%-48% race Tuesday, to hold his longtime Senate seat. "There was a very solid rejection of what the Freedom Caucus has done and how they operate,” Driskill said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026
Rock Springs Fire Chief James Wamsley Knocks Down CheckGate's Darin McCann
Rock Springs Fire Chief James Wamsley beat Rep. Darin McCann by a commanding 59%-40 margin ending a one-term run that included McCann’s involvement in the Legislature’s controversial “CheckGate” controversy.
Kolby FedoreAugust 19, 2026