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1. How do the Frontier Republicans hold up? Nearly every incumbent statehouse Republican faces a serious primary challenge from the right. Given the number of races that are uncontested by the Dems, the primaries will often be the whole game.
(though I should note that the Republicans also failed to run challengers against a surprising number of Dems. Stan Blake, Mike Yin, and minority leader Cathy Connolly have no GOP opponent, and Sara Burlingame has no serious GOP opponent. The OPEN seat in 17 has no GOP candidate)
Specifically, on the senate side can Erin Johnson (moderate) take down Anthony Bouchard (as far right as you can go) in district06, and can moderates David Northrup, Michael Von Flattern, and Charlie Scott hold on in 18, 24, and 30 respectively
On the state house side, check out the fates of moderate Eklund defending against archconservative former member Lars Lone in district 10, and conservative Karl Allred in 19, moderates Zwonitzer in 43 and Paxton in 47, and ultramoderate Pat Sweeney in 58.
(note: as with all things Wyoming, "moderate" doesn't necessarily mean the same thing as it does nationally)
2. How big does Cynthia Loomis win her primary? I think she's a near-lock to win, but it'll be interesting to see her margin, given that it's been a while since she ran statewide.
3. Dem statewide primaries.
Lynnette Grey Bull is an excellent house candidate challenging Liz Cheney. She's an experience organizer and advocate from the Rez--if she can turnout voters in Fremont, she'll be well positioned.
Lynnette Grey Bull is an excellent house candidate challenging Liz Cheney. She's an experience organizer and advocate from the Rez--if she can turnout voters in Fremont, she'll be well positioned.
On the senate side, you've got a self proclaimed socialist Yana Ludwig, a very moderate Jackson Nathan Wendt, and scientist Marev Ben-David. I'd wager Ben-David wins, but low confidence.
Every bit of the GOP primary fights has to be viewed through the lens of the state party infighting. WYGOP has fought hard to only support candidates who are 75% or better in line with their [very extreme far right] platform.
Folks like fmr gov Mead, retiring sen Enzi, and the moderate wing of the GOP caucus pushing back, but the state party apparatus is currently nearly entirely dominated by the far right. https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/members-of-wyoming-gop-contest-results-of-illegitimate-election-demand-revote/article_f8c32ac3-ce28-5c25-84f9-6d6e25117be3.html
If the far right can run the table in today's primaries, expect incumbent Governor Gordon to face a very rough primary in 2022.
Gordon eeked out a narrow 9k vote lead in a heavily divided six way race (he won less than a third of total votes cast, and the far right vote totaled >53% of the vote [this is counting Galeotos as a moderate with Gordon, which I'm not sure is quite true. Tough to categorize.])
I think he almost certainly faces a primary challenge in 2022, but if conservatives are viewed as dominating tonight's primaries, I expect you'll get a bigger name. And the conservatives *absolutely* could nominate a Kobach-esque figure, they have lots to choose from.
Journalists to follow:
@IAmNickReynolds from the Casper Star Tribune
@AndrewGraham88 from WyoFile
@SethKlamann from CST (not politics usually, but he's super knowledgeable when he subs in)
@IAmNickReynolds from the Casper Star Tribune
@AndrewGraham88 from WyoFile
@SethKlamann from CST (not politics usually, but he's super knowledgeable when he subs in)
Kirkbride, Northrup, Lindholm (not a moderate by any stretch, but a very principled libertarian who often clashed with the far right) all out so far.
Sad news, but this looks like a great night for the far right.
Sad news, but this looks like a great night for the far right.
Dan Zwonitzer up by three (3) votes with 100% precincts reporting. (Dan is one of the most liberal members of the GOP caucus, and is openly gay)
Jerry Paxton also unseated by the far right
Lot of the incumbents losing primaries tonight were in leadership roles:
-Lindholm was Majority Whip
-Kirkbride was chair of Judiciary
-Lindholm was Majority Whip
-Kirkbride was chair of Judiciary
Wyoming faces existential challenges in the year ahead, and I think a lot of the sober voices in the legislature are shaking their heads about some of the new voices that tonight's primaries elevated, and the institutional knowledge lost.
More reporters to follow:
@maggiemlln at WY Public Radio
@tomcoulter_ at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle (Cheyenne paper)
@tennesseejane at WY Public Radio (not tweeting about the election, but she's a great reporter and was a great debate moderator in '18)
@maggiemlln at WY Public Radio
@tomcoulter_ at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle (Cheyenne paper)
@tennesseejane at WY Public Radio (not tweeting about the election, but she's a great reporter and was a great debate moderator in '18)
Looks like Paxton held on after all ballots counted. But Michael Von Flatern goes down to the far right. MVF was senate Vice President last cycle, and Transportation chairman this cycle.
