The Republican Party in Wyoming selected Rep. Harriet Hageman as their nominee for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. This decision comes as Sen. Cynthia Lummis, the current Republican Senator, opts for retirement. Lummis, who won her Senate seat in 2020 after four terms in the House, will not pursue a second term. The vacancy presents an opportunity in a state renowned for its Republican leanings.
Hageman emerged victorious from a competitive five-candidate primary. Her opponents included former Kirby Mayor Sam Mead, Jill Edwards, John Holtz, and ex-environmental services owner Jimmy Skovgard. Known for her strong financial backing and public recognition, Hageman stood out as a formidable candidate.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Hageman after previously supporting her in a successful 2022 bid against Rep. Liz Cheney in Wyoming’s House primary. Hageman, now serving her second term in the House, gained national recognition through her victory over Cheney. Cheney faced criticism as a key figure in the investigation of the January 6 Capitol events. This led her to become one of Trump’s leading critics within the Republican Party.
With Trump-backed nominees prevailing in many primary races, his influence remains significant within the party. Hageman, capitalizing on this momentum, aims to secure her place in the U.S. Senate.
In the upcoming November 3 general election, Hageman will run against the Democratic contender. However, given Wyoming’s strong Republican preference, the chances of a Democratic victory appear slim. The Cook Political Report classifies the race as solidly Republican, with an R+23 rating, the highest assurance among Senate contests this cycle.
The GOP holds all statewide offices in Wyoming, making it one of America’s most Republican states. This Senate race marks part of a notable shift in the state’s political landscape. For the first time in over three decades, there are open elections for governor, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House in the same cycle.