On January 7, Wyoming state representative Jeremy Haroldson delivered a speech outlining the Freedom caucus’s vision for the 2025 legislative session, stating that the nation was founded on “godly principles” and that they would continue to govern according to those principles.
The Freedom caucus, known for its hardline conservative stances, has taken control of the Wyoming state house, marking the first time a Freedom caucus has controlled a state legislature in the US. The “Five and Dime” plan, a culture-war heavy package, aims to “stop the Woke agenda” by prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the University of Wyoming, cutting residential property taxes, invalidating drivers’ licenses issued to undocumented immigrants, and prohibiting “woke investment strategies” with state funds.
According to Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, this package represents the will of Wyoming voters and reflects a changing, more conservative America. He views the power shift as a mandate, stating, “The people have clearly given us a mandate. This is where Wyoming’s headed. We’ve seen it nationally, very, very clearly, and we’ve seen it very clearly in Wyoming.”
The split between a new generation of further-right conservatives and old guard Republicans is playing out across the country, and Wyoming is no exception. The state’s “code of the west” is written into the Wyoming constitution, which can make division in Wyoming politics seem puzzling from the outside. However, the state has a history of conservative dominance, with Republicans holding all five top statewide positions and 85 of the 93 state legislature seats.
The upcoming session is expected to be divisive, with bills like the “What Is a Woman Act” being reintroduced, and five separate bills related to gender identity being filed. According to Sara Burlingame, director of the LGBTQ+-focused non-profit Wyoming Equality, this attention given to transgender issues affects a small number of people in the state’s least populated region, but the legislature will still dedicate a large amount of time to attacking gender-affirming care for minors.
Election integrity is another issue the Freedom caucus deems crucial, with Wyoming having seen four documented cases of voter fraud since 1982. According to Governor Mark Gordon, the effort to secure the state’s elections is essential, stating, “Nobody here wants to throw bombs. Nobody here is about creating hate and discontent among the legislature.”