August 21, 2024 |
Photo – Senator John Barrasso and Representative Harriet Hageman – Courtesy hageman.house.gov
Wyoming Senator John Barrasso shot to an easy win in Tuesday’s primary election.
Barrasso of Casper, Wyoming held an early lead over opponents Reid Rasner and John Holtz to claim a fourth term in office. Barrasso was first appointed to the senate seat since 2007 and has held onto it ever since, climbing to a senior leadership position in the U.S. Senate.
Barrasso, who is expected to hold onto the seat in the General Election in November will likely run for Senate Whip.
Rasner ran a grassroots campaign around Wyoming from his home base in Mills. Holtz is a Laramie attorney.
Also winning easily on Tuesday was U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman. Unlike the national headline race of two years ago when Hageman upset Liz Cheney, who had run afoul of Wyoming Republicans with her hardcore, East Coast animosity toward Donald Trump, this year’s race against Steve Helling of Casper was a low-key affair.
Helling ran as a Democrat for Congress in 2022. His party flip-flop coupled with a late start this year failed to capture any media attention or generate much interest with Wyoming’s Republican base.
Hageman and Barrasso were declared winners shortly after the polls closed in Wyoming Tuesday evening. They both move onto the General Election in November.
