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State Senator Bo Biteman, who had also interviewed Trump to become his supported candidate in Wyoming, expressed little interest in running a campaign after the former president made a different choice. Biteman told POLITICO that Hageman’s endorsement “doesn’t change anything for me because I never officially entered the race.
Two other announced candidates remained in the primary Thursday night but did not respond to calls for comment. Another Republican considering an offer privately told POLITICO it was not worth it now.
The winnowing of the field of challengers and potential challengers came as no surprise in Wyoming, which was both Trump’s best state in the 2020 election as well as the home of the biggest Republican supporter of his impeachment in office. following the Capitol riot of January 6.
Before Trump approved of Hageman, he and his team spent months vetting and interviewing the candidates, including securing pledges that they would drop out of the race if they weren’t chosen. Trump made the extraordinary request because polls showed Cheney would be easier to beat in a primary one-on-one clash.
Trump didn’t pick Hageman out of nowhere. Wyoming Republicans, led by GOP Chairman Frank Eathorne, have encouraged Trump to interview the former land use lawyer, whose 2018 gubernatorial bid made her a Tory favorite. Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows also played a key role in Hageman’s defense, two people close to Trump’s orbit have said.
“Harriet is respected statewide. She had a great campaign for governor. She will be a very good candidate, ”said former Wyoming GOP President Matt Micheli. “There is no doubt that Trump’s approval will make her even stronger.”
Before the first challenger stepped down, Micheli predicted that Trump’s approval would clear up the herd.
“I suspect most of the other candidates will probably drop out,” he said. “If they have a realistic view and do the analysis, they will come to this conclusion. I think there will be one or two that probably stick around because they’re doing it more for a political point than to actually win.
Micheli declined to name names, but one of the candidates who has shown the most interest in staying is State Senator Anthony Bouchard, who took to Twitter to criticize Hageman’s choice and posted photos of herself with Cheney, which Hageman once supported.
“Liz Cheney was able to convince Trump to choose Cheney’s best friend as his replacement. Hageman participated in Cheney’s campaign both in the first election and in re-election. (Liz Cheney’s campaign photos were ‘cleaned’ from the internet by Hageman), ”Bouchard wrote.
Bouchard could not be reached, nor could Rep. Chuck Gray, another candidate for Congress, declare.
Cheney defiantly met Trump’s approval.
“Here’s a sound clip for you: bring it on,” Cheney wrote on Twitter, posting the former president’s support for Hageman, who was an ally and financial contributor to Cheney’s past campaigns.
Privately, Cheney’s supporters have acknowledged that it would be more difficult for her to win in a contest with fewer candidates, and some of her supporters have questioned whether she would want to persist in a 2022 campaign because she might want to run. in the White House in 2024, even against Trump.
“You cannot run for president after losing your home country,” said one funder, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely about Cheney’s bleak chances. “On the other hand, Liz is a fighter. That’s why we love it.
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Whom Trump consulted on about Hageman’s pick, also weighed in, stopping just before an endorsement but nonetheless indicating her support for Trump’s anointed challenger, Cheney.
“Senator Lummis has known Harriet Hageman for decades and has always viewed her as a staunch supporter of our way of life in Wyoming, an advocate for our state and a friend,” said Lummis spokesperson Darin. Miller, in a written statement. “Although Senator Lummis is not giving his endorsement at this time, she believes President Trump made an inspired choice in supporting Harriet Hageman.”
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