Deputy Liz Cheney formally announced her re-election candidacy Thursday, the same day a new poll is published that shows her 30 points behind her main rival in the Republican primary.
A poll conducted this week by the Club for Growth reported that 56% of Wyoming Republicans would vote for attorney Harriet Hageman while only 26% would support Cheney. Club for Growth, which has supported Hageman, also found that 12% of voters plan to support state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, while 6% are undecided.
Despite the unpleasant figures for Cheney, the poll actually shows a slight improvement over this time last year, when a similar Club for Growth poll found that only 14% of voters would support Cheney regardless of his opponent. However, this poll also found that 52% of Wyoming Republicans planned to vote no matter what.
Liz Cheney addresses the audience during the 2022 John F. Kennedy Profile Courage Award Ceremony on May 22nd. EPA candidate Harriet Hageman speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February. Bloomberg via Getty Images Cheney’s break with his state’s Republican population is largely due to his criticism of former President Donald Trump.
In January, a poll conducted by the Wyoming Republican State Central Committee recorded 59 votes for Hageman and only six for Cheney.
Cheney’s break with the GOP of his home state has been largely due to his repeated criticisms of former President Donald Trump over last year’s Capitol Riot.
In May 2021, Republicans in the House fired Cheney from her role as chair of the conference – the No. 3 position behind the minority leader and the whip of the minority – in favor of MP Elise Stefanik (R-NY ).
Twelve percent of voters plan to support state Sen. Anthony Bouchard.
Six months later, the Wyoming Republican Party voted to stop recognizing Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, as a member. In February, the state party voted to censure Cheney for his vote to oust Trump for an article inciting insurrection.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Cheney as a “RINO” (Republican-only) for his criticism and “strongly” supported Hageman in September.
“I strongly support Republican nominee Harriet Hageman of the Wyoming House of Representatives for running against militant and disloyal Republican Liz Cheney,” the 45th president said in a statement at the time. “Harriet is a fourth-generation daughter of Wyoming, a very successful lawyer, and she has the support and respect of a truly great United States senator, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming herself.
A Hageman billboard around Casper, Wyoming. Brian Cahn / ZUMA
“Unlike RINO Liz Cheney, Harriet is ready for America First. Harriet has my full and complete support to replace the number one Democratic bite provider, Liz Cheney,” Trump added. “Make America Great Again!”
The former president is scheduled to lead a major rally in Casper, Wyo. .). Colo.) And Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), As well as a video address by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
Despite low turnout figures, the cold shoulder of his Republican colleagues and Trump’s anger, Cheney said Thursday he would continue his candidacy for a fourth term in Congress.
Hageman talks to a supporter at a campaign event.AP
“When I know something is wrong, I will say it. I will not hesitate or back down. I will not give in to pressure or intimidation,” he said in a video announcing his re-election candidacy. “I know where to draw the line. And I know some things aren’t for sale. That’s the code of the West. And that’s what Wyoming voters deserve and expect.”
“If our generation does not defend the truth, the rule of law and our Constitution, if we set aside our founding principles for the politics of the moment, the miracle of our constitutional republic will escape,” he added. “We must not let this happen.”
According to the Ballotpedia website, Trump has endorsed 101 Republican primary election candidates in this cycle, only seven of whom have fallen to defeat. The only Trump-backed House candidate who has lost the primary so far has been acting Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina.
Cheney leads U.S. House select committee investigating Jan. 6 attack.REUTERS
Wyoming primaries are scheduled for August 16.