Wyoming Election Announcements Rolling Out

Posted by Bobbie Frank on March 22, 2024

Although the official filing period for state legislative offices does not open until May 16, several candidates have announced for the 2024 elections. All House seats are up and every even-numbered Senate seats, a total of seventy-seven. Messaging from most challengers is consistent with the division in the Republican party claiming many current Republican legislators are not true conservatives.

In southeast Wyoming, even before the legislative session convened, Gregg Smith a recent transplant from Oregon announced a run against Senator Tara Nethercott (R- SD 4, Cheyenne),

Kathy Russell current Wyoming GOP Director announced she will run against Representative Bob Nicholas (R-HD 7 Cheyenne). Nicholas is chair of the House Appropriations Committee and has served since 2011. Gary Brown, a retiree who relocated to Wyoming in 2011 from Colorado has announced he will challenge incumbent Representative Bill Henderson (R- HD 41, Cheyenne)

Representative Landon Brown (R- HD 9, Cheyenne), primary sponsor of the credit union led legislation HB 86, announced on social media last week he intends to run again. No word yet on any challengers.

Representative Dan Zwonitzer (R – HD 43, Cheyenne) a long-time credit union supporter will face challenger Ann Lucas a retired credit union employee.

In the northeast corner of the state, Mark Jones, who came to Wyoming from North Carolina in 2021 and is a current lobbyist for Gun Owners of America, announced he will challenge Representative Barry Crago (R-HD 40, Buffalo). Representative Cyrus Western (R – HD 51, Sheridan) has announced he will not run again, and Laurie Bratten announced her candidacy for HD 51.

Senator Ed Cooper (R – SD 20, Big Horn Basin area) will be challenged by Tom Olmstead a self-proclaimed political refugee from Colorado.

Senator Fred Baldwin, (R – S14 Afton) has announced he will not run again and Speaker of the House Albert Sommers (R – HD 20, Pinedale) has announced he will not seek re-election for his House district, but is considering a run for Senator Baldwin’s seat.

We will keep credit unions posted as announcements occur, and after the May 31 filing deadline, which candidates we aim to support.

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Wyoming Advocacy.