April 17, 2023 |
Photo – Wyoming Freedom Caucus Logo – Courtesy Facebook
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is launching a political action committee. The conservative group announced the creation of WY Freedom Pac, Saturday in Casper, at a town hall meeting.
Officially formed a week ago on April 8, documents filed with the Secretary of State’s office in Cheyenne, show that Karen Drost of Weston County chairs the committee. Drost chairs the Weston County Republican Party.
The formation of the PAC marks a milestone on the group’s stated mission of adding ten more lawmakers in the Wyoming House.
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus added five new members last year, with the newly elected lawmakers just concluding their first terms.
Their new political muscle flexed on a bill to ban crossover voting, which was sponsored by Freedom Caucus Vice Chair Jeremy Haroldson. The bill became law after similar bills had failed to reach the finish line in previous sessions.
The victory means voters will have to choose their party ticket in the primary election before knowing which candidates have filed.
A bill banning abortions, sponsored by Freedom Caucus member Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams of Cody, also became law. Its enforcement is blocked temporarily by a Teton County judge, after a group of Teton County medical providers and women filed a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality.
The Freedom Caucus was outnumbered in the legislature on other bill, though. An effort to defund the University of Wyoming’s gender studies program failed. Speaker of the House Albert Sommers used his leadership leverage to derail other bills from the Freedom Caucus bills not to his liking.
Event goers said Saturday’s gathering in Casper marks the beginning of the caucus’ statewide tour.
