NewzWASHINGTON (AP) — Wyoming voters will choose nominees for an unusually high number of open-seat races in a state primary Tuesday, thanks to two prominent Republican officials whose retirement announcements set off a scramble for contests throughout the ballot. Harriet Hageman’s decision to run to replace Lummis, marks the first time in 32 years that Wyoming has had open seats for governor, U.S. The races for Wyoming Secretary of State and state Superintendent of Public Instruction are also open seats, with both incumbents seeking higher office.
All statewide elected offices in Wyoming currently are held by Republicans. Gordon considered seeking a third term and challenging a state term limit law but ultimately decided against it. Four candidates now seek the Republican nomination to replace him: state Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, former state House Speaker and current state Sen.
Eric Barlow, retired Marine Corps colonel and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien, and professional bull rider and rodeo producer Curt Blake. The Degenfelder and Barlow campaigns are on roughly even financial footing, with Degenfelder raising about $1.3 million and Barlow raising about $1.2 million. Bien raised about $192,000, while Blake reported raising no money.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Degenfelder. The winner will face Democrat Kenneth Casner in November. Among the five Republicans running to replace Lummis in the U.S.
Senate are Hageman, former Kirby Mayor Sam Mead and former environmental services business owner Jimmy Skovgard. Hageman is in her second term in Congress. She was Trump’s pick in 2022 to defeat then-U.S.
Liz Cheney, one of the president’s harshest Republican critics following the attack on the U.S. Capitol and his attempts to remain in office after his 2020 election defeat. Trump has once again endorsed Hageman in her U.S.
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