Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) announced that she will not seek reelection to the upper chamber next year, setting up an open seat primary in the ruby red state, The Hill reports.
Wyoming Democrats Tell Their Candidate to Drop Out
“The Wyoming Democratic Party is calling for one of its Senate candidates to drop out after he made a number of disparaging remarks about nearly every one of his opponents on social media last week,” the Casper Star Tribune reports.
“In a series of tweets last week, self-described progressive James Kirk DeBrine used an opponent’s medical history to cast doubt on their fitness for office, questioned the faith of a Jewish opponent and appeared to suggest that a candidate with multiple children would not be able to competently hold elected office.”
Cheney Will Not Seek Senate Seat
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) told the Casper Star Tribune that she will not be making a bid for the U.S. Senate, “initiating a reelection campaign some predict could one day lead to her becoming speaker of the House.”
Rand Paul Moves to Thwart Cheney Senate Bid
Politico: “Rand Paul began his offensive against Liz Cheney as soon as a Senate seat opened up in May, reigniting a years-long feud between their families and warring wings of the Republican Party. The Kentucky GOP senator quickly made contact with Cynthia Lummis, a former conservative House member, to encourage her to run for the Senate seat opening up in Wyoming now that Mike Enzi was retiring.”
“Lummis soon jumped into the race, leaving Cheney, her successor in Congress, with a tough choice: Embark on a brutal primary against Lummis or take the safer route and seek her fortune in House leadership.”
Potential Senate Showdown Looms In Wyoming
Former Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) announced a bid for Senate in Wyoming Thursday, becoming the first Republican to jump into the race and setting up a potential clash with her successor in the House, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), Politico reports..
Enzi Will Retire from the Senate
Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) announced he would retire at the end of his term next year, the Casper Star Tribune reports.
Said Enzi: “I have much to get done in the next year and a half. I want to focus on budget reform. I don’t want to be burdened by the distractions of another campaign. After this year, I’ll find other ways to serve.”
GOP Megadonor Mulls U.S. Senate Bid
“Longtime Republican donor Foster Friess said that he is exploring a 2018 bid for U.S. Senate in Wyoming, making him the latest conservative figure to consider challenging Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), a low-key member of the leadership,” the Washington Post reports.
Said Friess: “Normally, over the years, I’ve dismissed these urgings. But due to the stature of the people requesting, I sense a responsibility to prayerfully explore the possibility.”
Blackwater Founder Mulls Senate Run In Wyoming
“Erik Prince, the founder of the security contractor Blackwater, is seriously considering a Republican primary challenge for a Senate seat in Wyoming, potentially adding a high-profile contender to a fledgling drive to oust establishment lawmakers with insurgents in the mold of President Trump,” the New York Times reports.
“Mr. Prince appears increasingly likely to challenge John Barrasso, a senior member of the Senate Republican leadership, according to people who have spoken to him in recent days. He has been urged to run next year by Stephen K. Bannon, who is leading the effort to shake up the Republican leadership with financial backing from the New York hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah.”
