Wyoming voters are casting ballots Tuesday in a primary that will set the stage for November's race to replace retiring Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.). The contest has drawn national attention, with former President Trump weighing in on the GOP side.
Rep. Harriet Hageman, who has represented the state's at-large congressional district since 2023, is seeking the Republican nomination. She faces four challengers: former Kirby Mayor Sam Mead, former judge John Holtz, National Guard veteran Jimmy Skovgard, and massage therapist Jill Edwards. Hageman's campaign has been bolstered by endorsements from Trump and both of Wyoming's senators, John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis.
Governor Mark Gordon, who is term-limited and cannot run again, declined to enter the Senate race, leaving the primary wide open among lesser-known candidates. Hageman, however, has dominated fundraising and name recognition, having won her House seat in 2022 after defeating Liz Cheney in a primary fueled by Trump's backing.
On the Democratic side, former state Rep. James Beard faces landscaper Billy Benavidez. Beard, who served in the state legislature, is seen as the more established candidate, but Wyoming's deep-red electorate makes the Democratic nominee a long shot in the general election.
Polls close at 9 p.m. EDT, and results are expected to come in quickly. The race is part of a broader set of primaries, including contests in Florida and Alaska, as tracking of the night's results continues.
Political analysts note that Hageman's path to the Senate is nearly assured if she secures the nomination, given Wyoming's strong Republican tilt. Her campaign has emphasized border security, energy independence, and opposition to federal overreach, themes that resonate with the state's conservative base.
The primary outcome will also be watched for signs of internal party divisions, as some Republican voters remain skeptical of candidates backed by the establishment. However, Hageman's alignment with Trump's agenda has largely muted such criticism.
For Democrats, the primary is more about building a foundation for future races than winning in November. Beard's campaign has focused on rural issues, healthcare access, and education funding, while Benavidez has positioned himself as a grassroots outsider.
As the results come in, attention will shift to the general election, where the Republican nominee will be heavily favored to succeed Lummis, who has served in the Senate since 2021 after a long career in state politics.
