US senator from Wyoming won’t seek reelection in 2026 in Republican stronghold

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis Announces She Won’t Seek Reelection in 2026

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming announced Friday she will not pursue a second term in 2026, citing concerns about her stamina for the demanding role that would extend well into her 70s.

“In the difficult, exhausting session weeks this fall I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me,” Lummis said in a statement. “I am a devout legislator, but I feel like a sprinter in a marathon.”

Despite stepping aside, the 69-year-old Republican emphasized her commitment to maintaining GOP control of the Senate through the remainder of her term, which coincides with a period of intense partisan competition for control of the upper chamber.

Lummis’s decision marks a significant moment in Wyoming politics, where she has been a prominent conservative figure for decades. Her political career spans nearly 50 years, beginning when she joined the Wyoming State Legislature at just 24 years old. Before her Senate victory in 2020, she served as Wyoming’s sole U.S. House representative from 2009 to 2017 and previously held the position of state treasurer for two terms.

The announcement opens up what will likely be a competitive Republican primary in a state with a deep conservative tradition. In 2020, Lummis defeated nine Republican rivals to secure the party’s nomination before winning the general election comfortably in the deeply red state. Wyoming hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Gale McGee, who served from 1959 until his defeat in 1977 — a Republican stronghold spanning more than five decades.

During her Senate tenure, Lummis has established herself as an advocate for Wyoming’s energy industry, particularly coal, oil, and natural gas production, which form the backbone of the state’s economy. She has also emerged as a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, becoming one of the Senate’s most knowledgeable members on digital assets at a time of increasing regulatory scrutiny.

Wyoming political analyst James Peterson noted that Lummis’s early announcement gives potential candidates ample time to prepare for what will likely be a crowded primary field.

“This creates a wide-open race in a state where the Republican nomination is tantamount to election,” Peterson said. “We can expect to see several current state officials and possibly members of Wyoming’s congressional delegation expressing interest in the coming months.”

The timing of Lummis’s announcement comes as both parties are positioning themselves for the 2026 midterm elections, which will feature numerous competitive Senate races across the country. While Wyoming remains among the safest Republican Senate seats, the open contest will draw national attention as both parties battle for control of the chamber.

Lummis’s Senate colleague from Wyoming, John Barrasso, who chairs the Senate Republican Conference, praised her service in a statement: “Cynthia has been a tireless champion for Wyoming values and our way of life. Her deep understanding of our state’s unique challenges has made her an effective advocate in Washington.”

Before entering politics, Lummis earned both her bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Wyoming. She has maintained close ties to the state’s agricultural community, operating a cattle ranch that has been in her family for generations.

As she prepares for her final years in office, Lummis indicated she plans to focus on energy policy, public lands issues, and fiscal responsibility — longtime priorities that have defined her political career in a state where conservative values and resource development remain dominant political forces.