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Republican Rep. Hageman Announces Senate Bid for Lummis’ Seat in Wyoming
Wyoming Representative Harriet Hageman announced Tuesday her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Cynthia Lummis, becoming the first to formally enter the race after Lummis revealed last Friday she would not seek reelection.
Hageman, who gained national prominence after decisively defeating Liz Cheney in 2022, immediately secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
“I will always defend Wyoming’s ability to access, manage and use our natural resources to fuel our economy,” Hageman said in her campaign announcement. “We must ensure that Wyoming remains a leader in energy and food production to help us maintain our way of life.”
Within hours of her announcement, Trump endorsed Hageman on Truth Social, stating she has “ALWAYS delivered for Wyoming, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.” The swift endorsement underscores Trump’s continued influence in Wyoming politics, where he remains highly popular.
Hageman, a Cheyenne-based attorney whose practice focuses on representing ranchers and natural resource interests, rose to national prominence during her 2022 congressional campaign. She challenged and defeated incumbent Rep. Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, by a more than 2-to-1 margin in the Republican primary.
Cheney’s political fortunes in Wyoming had declined dramatically following her opposition to Trump and her leadership role in the investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Her stance put her at odds with many Wyoming voters in a state where Trump won with over 70% of the vote in both 2016 and 2020.
After defeating Cheney, Hageman easily won the general election in 2022 in the deeply Republican state and was reelected in 2024 with more than 70% of the vote. Her strong electoral performances demonstrate her popularity with Wyoming’s conservative base, potentially making her a formidable Senate candidate.
Senator Lummis, who announced her retirement last week, has been a fixture in Wyoming politics for nearly five decades. Her extensive political career includes service in the state Legislature, two terms as state treasurer, four terms as Wyoming’s lone U.S. Representative, and currently as U.S. Senator since 2021.
In explaining her decision not to run again, Lummis cited concerns about her stamina, saying it didn’t “match up” with the energy required for another six-year Senate term.
Wyoming’s political landscape has been dominated by the Republican Party for decades. The state hasn’t elected a Democratic U.S. senator or representative since the late 1970s, making the Republican primary the de facto deciding contest for these federal positions.
Hageman’s Senate bid comes at a time when Wyoming faces significant economic challenges related to its energy-dependent economy. As coal demand has declined nationally, the state has sought to diversify while continuing to advocate for its traditional resource industries including oil, natural gas, and agriculture.
Her campaign announcement emphasized her commitment to defending Wyoming’s resource-based economy, a message that resonates with voters in the nation’s least populated state where public lands and natural resources play a central role in both the culture and economy.
With Hageman’s entry into the race, political observers will be watching to see if other prominent Wyoming Republicans join the contest. The eventual nominee will likely face minimal opposition in the general election, given the state’s reliable Republican voting patterns.
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8 Comments
Hageman’s commitment to defending Wyoming’s natural resource industries is encouraging. Her background as an attorney representing ranchers and resource interests suggests she understands the importance of these sectors to the state’s economy.
Agreed, maintaining Wyoming’s leadership in energy and food production will be critical. Hageman’s endorsement from Trump indicates she has strong conservative support.
It will be interesting to see how Hageman’s Senate campaign positions her on key mining, energy, and agricultural issues facing the state. Her emphasis on ‘our way of life’ implies a focus on preserving traditional industries.
As Wyoming’s lone House rep, Hageman will have a platform to advocate for the state’s resource sectors. Her Senate run could elevate these issues on the national stage.
With Lummis’ retirement, Hageman has an opportunity to continue championing Wyoming’s natural resource industries in the Senate. Her background suggests she will be a vocal defender of the state’s energy, mining, and agricultural interests.
As a Cheyenne-based attorney focused on natural resource interests, Hageman seems well-positioned to represent Wyoming’s mining, energy, and agricultural sectors in the Senate. Her campaign will likely center on maintaining the state’s economic reliance on these industries.
Hageman’s quick Trump endorsement demonstrates the former president’s continued sway in Wyoming politics. This could help her mobilize conservative voters, but may also make her a lightning rod for critics of Trump’s influence.
The Senate race in Wyoming will be one to watch, as Hageman’s pro-industry platform clashes with any efforts to limit fossil fuel production or mining on federal lands.