Wyoming influence in Washington reduced as former rodeo queen beats back Democratic challenge

Lummis Beats Trauner for Wyoming Congressional Seat–
By Charles Pelkey and Reese Jenniges, WyoFile.com

Democrats had their best shot in 30 years at winning Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat, but Dick Cheney showed up and helped Cynthia Lummis hold the seat for the GOP (the seat was once Cheney’s) as unpopular Republican Barbara Cubin retired.

Ironically, Cheney also took the occasion to endorse John McCain which probably gave a last minute boost to Barrack Obama (they quickly made Cheney’s endorsement into a campaign ad).

So Wyoming has only Republican representation in Congress and Dick Cheney will be retired. Cheney won’t be around to intervene on Cody’s perrennial efforts to turn Yellowstone Park into a mere cash register for the right wing town.

Follow-up. Let Obama’s transition team know, no Governor Freudenthal as Secretary of Interior.

I don’t think he has much of a chance with Wyoming voting the second most Republican state in the U.S., but rancher US Senator from Colorado Ken Salazar is promoting the anti-wolf, anti-environment Democrat for Secretary of Interior.

There could hardly be a worse pick. Will gov get look for Cabinet? By Chris Merrill. Casper Star Tribune.