Listen to the article
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray announced Monday his candidacy for the state’s lone congressional seat, aiming to replace Rep. Harriett Hageman, who recently launched a U.S. Senate campaign.
Gray, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, framed his decision as one made after “prayer and conversations with voters across the state.” His entrance into the race represents a continuation of Wyoming’s strong Republican representation in Washington.
“I’m running for Congress to continue fighting for Wyoming’s way of life,” Gray said in his announcement. “Wyoming needs a representative who will build on Hageman’s strong record, advance our shared Wyoming values, and advance the Trump agenda that has delivered the largest margin of victory in the nation in three straight presidential elections.”
In his campaign launch video, Gray positioned himself as “Wyoming tough” and “America first,” outlining a policy platform focused on challenging China’s influence, treating drug smugglers as “terrorists,” opposing progressive energy policies, protecting women’s sports, and deporting all undocumented immigrants.
Gray’s political profile rose significantly during his tenure as Wyoming’s secretary of state, a position he won in 2022 after campaigning heavily on election integrity issues. As the state’s chief election official, he implemented several conservative electoral reforms, including requirements for citizenship proof during voter registration, bans on ranked-choice voting, and restrictions on foreign election funding.
His administration also moved to limit third-party involvement in election administration and supported measures preventing crossover voting in Republican primaries, reflecting Wyoming’s increasingly conservative approach to election management.
“My record shows I do what I say,” Gray stated. “In Congress, I will secure the border, unleash Wyoming’s energy, lower costs for families, and protect the Second Amendment.”
Gray gained national attention in 2023 when he publicly opposed efforts to remove Trump from presidential ballots under the 14th Amendment. He led Wyoming’s filing of an amicus brief before the Colorado Supreme Court and later became the only secretary of state to submit a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court explicitly supporting Trump’s eligibility.
“When political insiders abandoned President Trump, I didn’t flinch,” Gray said. “I stood with the President and the American people, because in this country voters decide elections, not radical leftist attorneys.”
Wyoming’s at-large congressional seat has been at the center of national political attention in recent years. The position was previously held by former Rep. Liz Cheney, who lost her 2022 primary to Hageman after becoming one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics. Hageman’s decisive victory over Cheney reflected Wyoming’s strong support for Trump and conservative policies.
The political reshuffling began when Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis announced she would not seek re-election in 2026, creating an open Senate seat. Hageman quickly announced her candidacy for that position, opening the door for Gray’s congressional run.
Wyoming remains one of the most reliably Republican states in the nation, having given Trump his largest margins of victory in the past three presidential elections. The state’s energy sector, particularly coal, oil and natural gas production, remains central to its economy and political identity.
“I will work to stand with President Trump and continue to bring forward common-sense energy independence policies that will protect and grow Wyoming’s core industries,” Gray told Fox News Digital. “Woke wind subsidies and green boondoggles must be eliminated. We must continue President Trump’s great work securing the border.”
Gray’s campaign highlighted his endorsements and recognition from conservative organizations, including CPAC, the Club for Growth, and Wyoming Right to Life. His team also referenced internal polling suggesting he leads potential primary opponents, positioning him as a frontrunner in the race.
As Wyoming’s political landscape continues to evolve, Gray’s candidacy represents the state’s ongoing alignment with Trump’s vision for the Republican Party and its commitment to conservative policies on energy, immigration, and election administration.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
11 Comments
Gray’s focus on issues like challenging China, cracking down on immigration, and opposing progressive energy policies aligns him squarely with the Trump-wing of the Republican party. Whether that’s enough to win in Wyoming remains to be seen, as voters may be looking for a more pragmatic, Wyoming-centric approach.
The ‘America First’ branding and emphasis on China, immigration, and social issues like women’s sports suggest Gray is positioning himself as a hard-line conservative in the mold of the Trump wing of the GOP. Will be interesting to see if that plays well in Wyoming or if he needs to broaden his message.
Gray’s focus on energy and deporting all undocumented immigrants seems to put him solidly in the Trump camp. But will that resonate with voters more concerned about economic issues like inflation and jobs? He’ll need to convince them his priorities are in sync with theirs.
Gray’s campaign announcement highlights his alignment with Trump’s policies, but it remains to be seen if that’s enough to win over voters in Wyoming. He’ll need to articulate a clear, compelling vision that goes beyond just echoing the former president’s rhetoric.
As a staunch Trump ally, Gray’s entry into the race adds another high-profile Republican contender to the mix in Wyoming. It will be fascinating to see how his campaign strategy and messaging evolve over the course of the election cycle.
Interesting to see another ‘America First’ candidate emerge in Wyoming. Gray’s policy platform seems to align closely with Trump’s agenda, focusing on issues like energy, immigration, and China’s influence. It will be worth following how his campaign resonates with voters in the state.
I’m curious to hear more about Gray’s specific plans to ‘advance the Trump agenda’ if elected. Wyoming leans heavily Republican, so he’ll likely have an easier path to victory than some other Trump-aligned candidates, but the real test will be how he resonates beyond the party faithful.
Curious to see if Gray’s ‘America First’ messaging and hardline stances on issues like immigration and energy will galvanize GOP voters in Wyoming or if they’ll be looking for a more pragmatic, Wyoming-focused representative.
Gray’s ‘America First’ platform aligns him closely with the populist, nationalist wing of the GOP. While that may resonate with many Wyoming voters, he’ll need to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the state’s unique needs and not just rehash national partisan talking points.
Gray’s background as Wyoming’s Secretary of State gives him some political experience, though it remains to be seen if that translates into broad appeal as a congressional candidate. His emphasis on ‘Wyoming values’ and Trump’s agenda could rally the GOP base, but may face headwinds from more moderate independents.
As a staunch Trump ally, Gray’s candidacy represents the continued influence of the former president’s brand of populist conservatism within the GOP. It will be interesting to see if that message resonates with Wyoming voters or if they’re looking for a more nuanced, state-focused representative.