The unexpected opening of Wyoming’s sole congressional seat hasn’t just drawn the attention of well-funded conservative Liz Cheney, daughter of the former vice president, but also the biggest field of competitors in state primary election history.
The race to fill the seat once held by Dick Cheney has drawn nine candidates, far more than the previous record of five, according to a study by University of Minnesota Smart Politics blogger Eric J. Ostermeier.
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#TeamCheney was a proud sponsor of the WY Jr Rodeo Assoc Cheyenne rodeo. An important part of our western heritage. pic.twitter.com/elQv1YsVkk
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) June 11, 2016
“Although Cheney is considered the front-runner to win the seat — and is the most well-funded candidate in the race — Wyoming Republicans are hardly sitting on the sidelines,” he said in a new report.
Cheney, who withdrew from a Senate race in 2014, appears to be leaving little to chance in advance of the Aug. 16 primary. She has campaigned nonstop and has broken fundraising records.
“Liz Cheney has proven that she will not be outworked to earn the support of Wyoming Republicans in this primary,” campaign manager Bill Novotny told Secrets.
Because the state is deeply Republican, the primary winner will be the presumptive House member.
Cheney has won support with her promise to fight for the state’s coal industry, which is a big employer and is under fire from both President Obama and Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton. She has been rewarded with support and donations. She has out-raised her foes 10-1.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
