Wyoming Vote Tracker

Wyoming Republicans can expect a full ballot come next August. Sen. Barrasso must pass the nomination process of the primary, though no one at this point has announced contending for the seat he is filling. Sen. Enzi is also expected to run (at this point, unopposed) for reelection.

Add to that closure of one speculation and the opening of another.

For months, political observers in the Cowboy State have contemplated what Rep. Cubin wsa going to do. She survived the WYGOP Primary last August with only 60% of the vote. In the general election just over a year ago, she narrowly defeated Democrat contender Gary Trauner. This year, she has faced incredible difficulties in her personal life, including supporting her husband in his time of illness, her own broken foot, and the passing of her brother.

These and other circumstances have yielded her a voting record that has drawn much criticism from Wyomingites. Ironically, seldom would a report be made on the occasions that she did record votes.

But of all of this, the driving force in Rep. Cubin’s recent decision to not seek reelection has been family.

“In contemplating 2008, my overwhelming consideration has been for the need of my family for me to come home,” Cubin told about 60 members of the Wyoming Republican State Central Committee. “I look forward to coming home to be a friend, a wife, a mother and especially a grandmother.”

Cubin, 59, has missed almost half her votes in Congress this year. She has spent much of her time in Wyoming tending to her husband, who has been ill for many years with an unspecified immune disorder. Dr. Frederick “Fritz” Cubin has been hospitalized repeatedly in Casper this year, often in critical condition.

“None of us know how much time we have left, but what I do know is the time that he has left, I want to be with him,” Cubin told reporters after her remarks, noting that she was also weary of campaigning. […]

“I look forward to watching a new generation of Wyoming Republicans assume the mantle of leadership in our state, and I relish the idea of never having to see another nasty headline about me again,” Cubin told the party members.

I certainly have to commend Rep. Cubin for her decision. Voting record aside, she has done a really good job at representing Wyoming in D.C. in the past 13 years. She has consistently voted pro-life, for lower taxes, supportive of the military, in favor of boarder security, and upholding Second Amendment rights.

In this last session, perhaps her most notable effort has been in fighting to keep the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park open for winter recreation.

Previously announced candidates now find themselves shifting their campaigns slightly. At this point, three (or two, depending on how you look at it) Republicans have thrown their hats in the ring, Swede Nelson, Bill Winney (a contender from 2006), and Kenn Gilchrist (reportedly running Independent at first, but consistently lumped in with the Republican list).

WYGOP Chairman Fred Parady sees more competition on the horizon, possibly up to seven more names on the ballot by next summer. Three familiar names from the nomination process to fill the Senate seat now held by Sen. Barrasso are considering joining the race. Cynthia Lummis, Tom Sansonetti, and State Rep. Colin Simpson. I must admit that I like the idea of Mr. Sansonetti joining the race.

Gary Trauner or Al Hamburg will face the winner of the WYGOP August Primary in next November’s general election.

Technorati Tags: 2008 election, WYGOP August Primary, Barbara Cubin, Swede Nelson, Bill Winney, Kenn Gilchrist, Cynthia Lummis, Tom Sansonetti, Colin Simpson, Gary Trauner, Al Hamburg

2 Comments »