Just two weeks after House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney cast her vote to impeach President Donald Trump, Wyoming state Sen. Anthony Bouchard announced he planned to primary Cheney in the midterm election cycle.
Calling Cheney out of touch, Bouchard blasted his fellow Republican, saying in a statement released Wednesday night that “Wyoming was President Trump’s best state both times he ran. That’s because Wyoming voters are strong conservatives who want our leaders to stand up for America, defend our freedoms, fight for our way of life and always put working people first as President Trump did. Liz Cheney’s long-time opposition to President Trump and her most recent vote for Impeachment shows just how out-of-touch she is with Wyoming.”
He added, “Wyoming taxpayers need a voice in Congress who will stand up to Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats, and not give them cover. That’s why I’m running for Congress.”
The congresswoman is also under fire from House Freedom Caucus members who circulated a petition for her to step down from her leadership position. Cheney was among ten Republicans who supported the impeachment of Trump.
However, the daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney made clear she was not resigning from her position. In her statement defending her position, she said in part, “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.”
Cheney was elected to the House in 2016, winning the primary by around 18 points. Since that election, she has overwhelmed her GOP primary opponents by more than 45 points and defeated her general election opponents by equally wide margins.
Bouchard is the founder of the gun rights activist group Wyoming Gun Owners. According to the Casper Star-Tribune, he is known in the Wyoming Legislature as one of the most conservative members of the body and often challenges leadership online/ After eking out victories early in his political career, Bouchard garnered two large wins this election cycle following a tough campaign.
