Live Results: Wyoming midterm primaries
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-08-17 19:00:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump’s Endorsements Shape Wyoming’s High-Stakes Republican Primaries
President Donald Trump’s influence continues to loom large over Wyoming’s Republican primary landscape, as he has thrown his support behind key candidates in the state’s most competitive races. Trump has endorsed Megan Degenfelder for governor and Harriet Hageman for the U.S. Senate, signaling his ongoing effort to shape the party’s direction in one of the nation’s most reliably Republican states.
Trump’s Picks and Their Impact
Trump’s endorsement of Degenfelder, currently Wyoming’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, positions her as a frontrunner in a crowded gubernatorial field. Degenfelder and state Sen. Eric Barlow are nearly tied in fundraising, but Trump’s backing could prove decisive in a state where his approval remains high. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Kenneth Casner in November.
For the U.S. Senate, Trump has again endorsed Harriet Hageman, who previously unseated Liz Cheney in 2022 with Trump’s support after Cheney became one of his most vocal Republican critics following the January 6 Capitol attack and Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Hageman’s fundraising—about $2.4 million, nearly ten times her closest competitor—reflects the power of Trump’s endorsement in Wyoming.
A State Shaped by Trump’s Legacy
Wyoming has consistently delivered some of Trump’s strongest electoral margins, making it a testing ground for his continued sway over the Republican Party. The excerpt notes that Wyoming was Trump’s best-performing state in both 2024 and 2020, and his second-best in 2016. His endorsements are likely to carry significant weight with the state’s overwhelmingly Republican electorate.
No Endorsement in the House Race
While Trump has made his preferences clear in the governor’s and Senate races, he has not endorsed any candidate in the crowded Republican primary for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Hageman. This contest, featuring nine candidates and significant self-funding, is expected to be the most expensive on the ballot.
Conclusion: Trump’s Endorsements Remain a Decisive Factor
As Wyoming voters head to the polls, Trump’s endorsements are shaping the state’s political future, reinforcing his ongoing influence over the Republican Party. With open seats for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House for the first time in decades, the results will serve as a barometer for Trump’s continued dominance in GOP politics, especially in states where his support is strongest.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/live-results-wyoming-midterm-primaries