February 4, 2022 |
The Republican primary race for Wyoming’s sole seat in the U.S. House race is drawing big money donors, mostly out of state interests. Incumbent Liz Cheney has raised more than $7 million, almost all of it from big, out-of-state donors with ties to oil, gas and military-related industries. Many of the first quarter donations to the Cheney campaign came from Texas family dynasties tied to the Bush-Cheney administration, where her father served as vice president. The congresswoman’s main opponent, Harriet Hageman raised $443,000 from October to January. Cheney raised over $2 million during that time period.
The campaign receipts provide insight into who is supporting the candidates with their money. Only 1.3 percent of the $2 million that Cheney raised came from Wyoming. Meanwhile, Hageman outraised Cheney in the Cowboy State. The land and water rights attorney raised more than $188,000 from 150 in-state residents—representing 43 percent of Hageman’s take.
What do the fundraising receipts reveal about the two candidates? We asked Carbon County Republican Party Joey Correnti to read the tea-leaves or the receipts in this case. Correnti said it may say more about the Wyoming economy right now than the candidates.
Photos courtesy Harriet Hageman/Liz Cheney/Facebook.
Hageman has reached outside of Wyoming to augment her war chest for the fight. Billionaire Peter Thiel hosted a closed-door fundraiser last month at his expansive Miami estate. According to sources familiar with the event, dozens of Republican donors attended. Vanity Fair reported that among the attendees was Donald Trump Jr.
