The Wyoming Legislature will look distinctly different when it convenes for its 68th session in January.
In Tuesday night’s Republican primary, longtime legislators went down left and right.
Most notable was House Speaker Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, who lost his bid for Senate District 14 to Kemmerer resident Laura Taliaferro Pearson by 156 votes. Sommers had served in the Legislature since 2013.
The main beneficiary of the upheaval: The Wyoming Freedom Caucus, a conservative movement that has positioned itself farther right of more mainstream conservatives, including many incumbents its members have deemed to be part of the “establishment.”
All together, Cowboy State Daily has determined that the Freedom Caucus on Tuesday won the potential to gain 11 seats in House if candidates that align with the group win out in the November general election. This includes uncontested primary wins by Sheridan resident Laurie Bratten and Casper resident J.R. Riggins.
State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, the second longest serving member of the Wyoming House, also lost his bid for reelection to an 11th term in the House to a Freedom Caucus candidate. Zwonitzer had been serving since 2004.
Other incumbents who lost on Tuesday in similar fashion included Reps. Tom Walters, R-Casper, and Ember Oakley, R-Riverton.
The Freedom Caucus has typically taken a no-compromises approach to issues like transgender issues, abortion and property taxes. It also has cast a suspicious eye on many longtime legislators.
