Hard-line Freedom Caucus outraises traditionalist Wyoming Caucus ahead of primary

As the Wyoming Republican Party’s two factions battle for control of the Legislature, one has out fundraised the other this year, while spending is just about even between the two groups.

That’s according to campaign finance reports due Tuesday with the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office.

This is the first election since both groups formed respective political action committees, or PACs — which allow for higher fundraising and spending limits than a candidate’s campaign committee.

The PAC associated with the hard-line Wyoming Freedom Caucus has raised about $168,00 since January, while the traditionalist Wyoming Caucus has raised approximately $104,000 during that same time period.

While the two PACS have spent about the same amount of money since January — the Freedom Caucus spent roughly $180,000, the Wyoming Caucus spent a little more than $199,000 — the two groups are using their dollars in different ways.

Wyoming Caucus PAC

The largest single donation to the Wyoming Caucus came from Gov. Mark Gordon, who personally gave $30,000.

JoAnn Skeim-True, former state GOP committeewoman for Natrona County, contributed $25,000 while Anne Pendergast, mother to Rep. Cyrus Western (R-Big Horn), gave $10,000.

Several former and outgoing lawmakers also donated including Reps. Lane Allred (R-Afton), Jerry Obermueller (R-Casper), Dan Kirkbride of Chugwater and Jamie Flitner of Greybull.

All but two donations came from Wyoming residents. Carter Simonds of Connecticut gave about $2,600 as did Diana Brooks of Florida.

As far as expenditures go, the caucus mostly spent its money on advertisements and candidate committee contributions.

It paid Cowboy State Daily a total of $50,000 for advertising.

Altogether, it gave $101,000 to the 21 candidates: Reps. Ryan Berger (R-Evanston), Landon Brown (R-Cheyenne), Jon Conrad (R-Mountain View), Ken Clouston (R-Gillette), John Eklund (R-Cheyenne), Bill Henderson (R-Cheyenne), Lloyd Larsen (R-Lander), J.T. Larson (R-Rock Springs), Bob Nicholas (R-Cheyenne), Tony Niemic (R-Green River), David Northrup (R-Powell), Ember Oakley (R-Riverton), Cody Wylie (R-Rock Springs), Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne), Dave Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne), Elissa Campbell of Casper, Marilyn Connolly of Buffalo, Matt Hall of Cody, Seth Ulvestad of Cheyenne, Cat Urbigkit of Pinedale and Gail Symons of Sheridan.

The caucus paid two consultants — En Pointe Strategies of Colorado and PR 213 LLC of Wyoming — a total of about $45,000.

WY Freedom PAC

The two largest donors to the Wyoming Freedom Caucus’ PAC were William and Jeanie Haas of Hulett, who donated $30,000 each.

The Crook County Republican Party had written the caucus a check for $25,000, but the PAC returned the donation after Sen. Ogden Driskill (R-Devils Tower) filed a complaint, alleging the donation was illegal.

Donald Grasso of Jackson gave $10,000, while Kyle True, manager for the company seeking to open a gravel pit at the base of Casper Mountain, gave $5,000.

Majority Floor Leader and Freedom Caucus member Rep. Chip Neiman (R-Hulett) donated a $6,000 rifle for a raffle.

Longtime wealthy conservative donor Susan Gore gave a total of $1,200.

La Barge candidate Mike Schmid and former lawmaker Marti Halverson each gave $1,000.

The PAC received a total of $450 in corporation donations from Gun Owners of America of Virginia, DHH Inc of Gillette and Mills Electric of Gillette.

When it came to expenditures, 85% of the PAC’s spending went to McShane LLC — a Las Vegas-based consultant that has racked up awards for its entrepreneurship and campaign work. Its previous clients include Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, former U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona), and Gun Owners of America.

The PAC paid McShane roughly $152,000 for consulting and digital advertising, among other things.

That included approximately $31,000 for postage and $60,000 for printing. The spending comes amid a barrage of mailers from the PAC that have drawn a defamation suit and at least one cease-and-desist letter .

Primary election day is on Aug. 20. WyoFile will be teaming with the Associated Press to bring readers live district-by-district results of Wyoming’s congressional and legislative races.

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