Wyoming
Tom Lubnau: Out Of State Money Flooding Into… | Cowboy State Daily
Election season is upon us. Like manure in a barn, mailers, social media ads and billboards are beginning to bury our view shed in piles and piles of stuff we need to shovel out of the way.
In Idaho, out of state influences spent $1.2 million dollars of dark money to influence Idaho elections.
Much of the dung dropping contains totally untrue statements about candidates. There is no real recourse for the outright lies, half-truths and derogatory statements in this new era of provocative negativity
Well-financed interest groups, from out of state, are trying to influence our elections.
Why is it so dang important to these out-of-state interests to influence our elections?
Perhaps, they want to influence Wyoming policy. But to what end?
Maybe to affect broader policy discussions?
Wyoming’s political decisions can have broader implications. For instance, senators from Wyoming can impact federal legislation. Influencing state elections could help shape the national political landscape.
Businesses operating in or dependent on Wyoming’s resources and industries may seek to ensure that local policies favor their economic interests, such as favorable tax rates, subsidies, or environmental regulations. Perhaps, that is where the benefit lies.
Another consideration might be Wyoming has a significant amount of federally managed public land. Policies and decisions regarding the use of these lands (for conservation, recreation, or resource extraction) can have wide-ranging effects beyond state borders.
But a deeper analysis of these proposed reasons doesn’t seem to reveal any true economic justification for meddling in Wyoming elections to the degree we are seeing out of state dollars flood the state.
The candidates who are largely supported by these interest groups are not typically pro-business, pro-development folks. One has to wonder what the real reasons people invest significant money to meddle in our elections from out of state.
What big money interests would benefit from Wyoming taking an ultra-conservative, low government, low tax government?
One possibility is billionaires who want to treat Wyoming as a tax haven might want to invest in keeping Wyoming’s taxes law, regulations minimized and keep government from intruding on the people.
They certainly like our low-tax environment. They like a weak government that does not stand up to their whims. They like an environment where they can come to the state and not be bothered by the government.
A few of those billionaire folks have shown up and wanted to change Wyoming to the way they see it should be. (See “Little Jackson Hole” for example.) But, no real evidence exists they are financing the electoral meddling, unless it is occurring on the sly.
Another possibility is someone who is already here, who is using shills to act in their stead to influence politics the way they want them to go.
Wyoming has a disproportionate representation in the United States Senate. If they can change the training ground for Wyoming senators, they can obtain influence over candidate beholden to them?
One might suspect blowhards with extra money trying to change politics, and Wyoming is an easy target due to low population.
This possibility seems implausible. Cynicism would dictate that no one spends the kind of money that is being dumped into Wyoming from outside the state without some ulterior motive.
It’s funny, a disproportionate number of candidates who are endorsed by these out of state groups have only lived in Wyoming a couple years. What does that tell us?
More questions than answers arise. Typically, this column tries to provide researched answers, but none are readily apparent that justify the volume of dollars dumping into our state.
And, given our current chief elected official, I suspect answers as to the motives behind out-of-state dollars flooding into Wyoming’s elections are not going to be answered soon by that office.
For someone who is ostensibly concerned about election integrity, he is noticeably silent on inquiring why out of state dollars are flooding into our elections.
I’m sure we’ll hear arguments that it is their constitutional right to participate financially and anonymously in our elections. And, these organizations have the right to participate in the elections.
But someone and some level should be asking why this money is flooding into Wyoming to sway our electorate.
Historically, these tactics work. And they are not going to stop until we make them stop.
We need to do a next-level inquiry on what people stand to gain by influencing our vote. The answer is not some political platitude.
And, until we know why out-of-state actors are spending their money to sway our vote, we should vote for every candidate that is NOT endorsed by these out-of-state actors. Send a message their excrement is not welcome in Wyoming.
Tom Lubnau served in the Wyoming Legislature from 2005 – 2015 and is a former Speaker of the House.
He can be reached at: YourInputAppreciated@gmail.com
CASPER, Wyo. — As the Aug. 18 primary election approaches, Oil City News is introducing candidate questionnaires to help voters make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Every candidate in the primary field was sent the same three questions and given a limit of 500 words, which could be distributed among their answers as they saw fit. To ensure a fair and direct line to the community, all responses are published exactly as submitted, without edits or alterations.
Candidates were asked:
- What are the most crucial challenges your constituents are facing?
- If elected, how will you address these challenges?
- What qualities or qualifications do you possess that have prepared you to meet these challenges?
Questionnaires are being published on a rolling basis online through Aug. 11. They will be accessible via the Oil City News Election Tracker.
Additionally, Oil City News will mail a comprehensive print voters guide directly to all Natrona County households in mid-July, featuring all questionnaires received by July 6.
Neil Jeske (R), Wyoming House District 59
What are the most crucial challenges your constituents are facing?
affordability, inflation, and trust in government.
If elected, how will you address these challenges?
If elected, I would address the affordability challenge by working to eliminate the corporate socialism/welfare that is plaguing this state and return the taxes to the taxpayers. Money is best spent by the people who earned it, not the government. Currently, Political insiders and special interest are getting our tax dollars for increased profits while the taxpayers take the risk and losses. Eliminating the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Energy Authority and getting rid of the Wyoming Stable Token would be a great place to start. The $255 Million the Wyoming Energy Authority gave away in corporate welfare last year could be used to reduce property taxes, upgrade infrastructure, fund Department of Transportation roadside checks to bust illegal truck drivers to keep our motoring public safe.
Inflation can be reduced on the state level by lowering regulations. For example, Zoning laws, licensing requirements, and permitting processes. State spending is also a major issue, and it must be managed with greater discipline, transparency, and accountability to taxpayers.
More trust in government can be obtained by maintaining a 100% open, transparent, and accountable government. This is vital in a free society. Also, encouraging greater public participation in government. Thomas Jefferson said ““If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”
What qualities/qualifications do you possess that have prepared you to meet these challenges?
I’m a statesman for Wyoming, not a politician. I stand for ending corporate socialism/welfare, lowering the tax burden on working families, and restoring transparency and accountability so government serves the people of Wyoming, not political insiders or special interests. The proper role of government is to protect life, liberty and property rights.
I bring a commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and practical problem-solving that is grounded in real-world experience and a strong understanding of how government policy affects everyday people. I’ve worked for a living and built a small business on the side, so I understand both what it means to work for a paycheck and what it takes to take risk, create value, and deal with the costs government decisions place on working people.I have also served the public as a municipal garbage man, doing the kind of honest, essential work that keeps our communities functioning and gave me a deep respect for working people, taxpayer funded services and the value of public service.
Related
Nine weeks of the 2026 American Legion Baseball season in the Cowboy State are complete. Gillette and Jackson are undefeated early in North Conference action. Four teams have not played a league game in the North. The Cheyenne Sixers and Hawks lead the South Division, and only one team has not been on the diamond for a conference contest. Five teams have passed the 20-win plateau this season.
WYOPREPS 2026 AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS WEEK 9
Three Wyoming Legion teams won tournament titles last weekend. The Cheyenne Hawks were the champs at the Dean Bullock Memorial Tournament in Torrington. They beat the host Tigers, 20-5, in the title game. The Cheyenne Sixers took first place at the 5 Tool Baseball Northern Colorado Wood Bat Shootout in Fort Collins after two wins against opponents from Colorado in bracket play. Finally, the Sheridan Troopers won their second consecutive tournament title at the 7th annual Black Hills Veterans Classic in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Troopers went 5-0 on the weekend.
Here are the ninth standings during the 2026 season. Teams are listed by their conference record first.
Sr. Legion North Conference: (Overall Record Listed First, Then Conference Record)
Gillette Roughriders 21-17, 4-0
Jackson Giants 12-3, 2-0
Gillette Rustlers 20-12, 2-2
Powell Pioneers 7-10, 2-2
Sheridan Jets 8-10, 1-1
Casper Wildcatters 12-6, 1-3
Cody Cubs 15-9, 0-0
Sheridan Troopers 21-10, 0-0
Lander Legends 1-6, 0-0
Lovell Mustangs 2-9, 0-0
Casper Drillers 9-5-1, 0-2
Riverton Raiders 8-12, 0-2
Read More Wyoming Legion Baseball News from WyoPreps
WYOPRPES LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 9 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 8 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 7 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 6 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 5 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 4 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 3 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 2 SCORES 2026
WYOPREPS LEGION BASEBALL WEEK 1 SCORES 2026
Sr. Legion South Conference: (Overall Record Listed First, Then Conference Record)
Cheyenne Sixers 25-4-1, 6-0
Cheyenne Hawks 21-4, 2-0
Casper Oilers 12-9, 3-1
Wheatland Lobos 10-8, 2-2
Douglas Cats 4-23, 1-1
Cheyenne Eagles 8-13, 1-3
Laramie Rangers 10-17, 1-3
Laramie JV Rangers 6-19, 2-4
Torrington Tigers 13-7, 0-0
Green River Knights 7-11, 0-2
Rock Springs Stallions 8-21, 0-2
2025 Wyoming Legion Baseball A State Championship Game
Lovell topped Cody, 5-1, to capture the Single-A Wyoming American Legion Baseball state championship in 2025.
Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Clint Wood
Wyoming Legion Baseball AA State Championship Day in 2025
Photos from the two games on day five of the 2025 Wyoming Legion Baseball AA State Tournament in Cheyenne.
Gallery Credit: David Settle, WyoPreps.com
CODY— A Wyoming archaeologist is speaking out against vandalism of petroglyphs in Bighorn Basin.
Bonnie Lawrence-Smith, president of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists, said she often sees signs of vandalism near the petroglyphs, such as bullet holes and new engravings.
Watch the report below:
‘Hurts my heart’: Wyoming archaeologist speaks out against petroglyph vandalism
She estimates some the petroglyphs, left by Indigenous Peoples, date back to thousands of years old.
“People have been shooting at these panels for probably decades,” said Lawrence-Smith. “It’s just unfortunate that people think that it’s okay to erase someone else’s heritage.”
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
Other petroglyphs have chalk drawn over them and man-made pecking marks.
“Prior to better education, people would… come out and they would take a piece of chalk, and they would outline the petroglyph because it makes it easier to see in photographs… not understanding the damage that they were doing,” said Lawrence-Smith. “So that’s unintentional vandalism.”
Lawrence-Smith showed MTN a site where many names and dates were scratched onto the surface of the rock panel.
“It hurts my heart,” she said.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
The site is one of six sites the Bureau of Land Management is investigating for vandalism.
According to a recent BLM press release, another site was damaged from a bonfire, “resulting in discoloration, cracking, and the loss of rock fragments”.
Lawrence-Smith said she wants more people to face criminal charges for vandalism.
“They need to understand that there are repercussions for your actions,” she said.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
She told MTN she would like to see more participation in the Wyoming Site Stewardship Program.
“You can volunteer, and you can monitor sites,” said Lawrence-Smith. “And then you also have a better timeline of when vandalism does occur.”
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
Even though many sites contain vandalism, Lawrence-Smith has noticed it has decreased over the years.
“What I’ve seen in my 16 years, vandalism is on the downside,” she said. “I’m optimistic. I think they’re getting better.”
BLM encourages people who witness vandalism of rock art sites to leave tips at their Cody Field Office phone number, 307-578-5900.
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