After sweeping success in this week’s general election, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus will wield new power in the state Legislature’s House of Representatives.
The further-right GOP faction will aim to appoint their own slate of leaders to key positions, like speaker of the House, majority floor leader and committee chairmanships. Caucus member Rep. Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland) is hoping to become majority floor leader, while Rep. Chip Neiman (R-Hulett) is eyeing the House speakership.
Due to their majority, the faction will have more leeway to determine the legislative agenda.
They needed to get at least 32 seats in the Republican-dominated House to have a simple majority. Wyoming Public Radio estimates the caucus clinched at least 33 of 62 House seats following the election. That’s the most they’ve had since officially forming in September of 2020.
Current members of the caucus told WPR they anticipate their voting bloc this coming legislative session will be even higher, closer to 37. But those members wouldn’t say who makes up that bloc.
WPR's calculation of at least 33 seats is based on official endorsements, past voting records and campaign finance reports. That number increases to at least 35 when including representatives who are likely to align with the caucus’s priorities but who’ve said they won’t officially join if membership is offered to them.
