A handful of Republican candidates are vying for their party’s nomination, while two Democrats are vying for theirs in Wyoming’s open U.S. Senate primary on Aug. 18.
The winner of the general election this fall will succeed Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who announced in December 2025 that she was retiring after one term.
“I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me,” Lummis wrote in a December statement.
Republicans hoping to win their party’s nomination include U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, National Guard Veteran Jimmy Skovgard, rancher and whiskey maker Sam Mead, Massage Therapist Jill Edwards, and former Space Systems Operations Officer in the U.S. Air Force John Holtz.
Democrats running in the primary are former state Rep. James Byrd and salesman Billy Benavidez.
A Republican is strongly expected to take the seat, according to an analysis by the Cook Political Report.
President Donald Trump, who won 72.3 percent of Wyoming’s vote in the 2024 presidential election, endorsed Hageman when she launched her campaign in December 2025 and reiterated his support on Aug. 4.
“I know Harriet well, and she is a TOTAL WINNER! Harriet has ALWAYS delivered for Wyoming, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post earlier this month.
“She will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, Champion our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
The other notable endorsement, of both Hageman and Holtz, came from pro-life group Wyoming Right to Life.
Hageman, a fourth-generation Wyomingite, is running on a campaign to cut government spending, promote free and fair elections, rein in the surveillance state, protect the unborn, and stop the United States Forest Service from allegedly “mismanaging” forest lands.
Skovgard, who is also a fourth-generation Wyomingite, wants to promote a transparent government, support technology that helps people in Wyoming, and stop the government from deciding which medical decisions individuals can make.
Mead, who is a fifth-generation resident of Wyoming, wants to protect public lands, cut government spending, boost jobs, make living more affordable, and protect rural hospitals.
Holtz, who has lived in Wyoming for 47 years and does not have a campaign website, told the Wyofile that he wants to strengthen America’s defense, reduce the deficit, and make Social Security non-taxable once again.
Edwards, who lives in Laramie, is running to bring practical solutions, honest leadership, and to be a voice in Washington for Wyoming families, workers, and communities.
On the Democratic ticket, Byrd is a Wyoming-born businessman who wants to advocate for the state’s energy independence, rural education, and veteran support services.
Benavidez, who has lived in Wyoming for 18 years, said he wants to serve one term only and help stop government corruption.
During a Republican primary debate hosted by Wyoming PBS, all candidates agreed government spending needed to be cut.
On stage, Skovgard and Mead both suggested term limits for representatives in Congress.
Hageman and Skovgard advocated for “reducing the size and scope of the federal government” and bringing power back to the states, as Mead proposed cutting administrative costs in the healthcare industry.
During the debate, Hageman and Holtz said they were pro-life and supported a nationwide abortion ban, while Skovgard said that should be decided by the state.
Mead, whose wife experienced an ectopic pregnancy, suggested during the Republican primary debate that “Unless you’ve been through it, I don’t want to put doctors in a position where they’re deciding between legality and saving a mother’s life.”
