“Nobody would piss off the entire state of Wyoming without another plan,” said Kasey Mateosky, a Republican running for a county commissioner spot.
JACKSON, Wyo. — Rep. Liz Cheney’s supporters have mixed feelings about the brutal defeat likely heading her way in Tuesday’s Republican primary: resignation about her fate, pride in her for standing up to former President Donald Trump at a personal price and hope that she will rebound to a more prominent place in national politics.
There are few visible signs that Cheney is even trying to win re-nomination against the backdrop of polling showing she trails her main challenger, Harriet Hageman, by 57% to 28%.
Locals say she has appeared in public a few times in recent weeks — to meet with members of the Jewish community, for example — but her campaign had no public events scheduled over the weekend or on Monday. On Saturday, in a rally more appropriate to a town council race than one of the most closely watched congressional races in recent political history, about a dozen of her supporters waved Cheney signs at cars passing the town square. There was no trace of the candidate.
On television, Cheney’s ads are focused on her fight with Trump — the apostasy that alienated her from most GOP voters here and across the country. Cheney, the third-ranking Republican at the start of this Congress, was virtually read out of the party for voting to impeach Trump and taking a leading role in the House inquiry into his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
She is likely to finish the race with a substantial unspent war chest, reflecting both the ease with which she raised money from anti-Trump donors across the country and the futility of dumping millions of dollars into a lost cause. Three weeks ago, she still had $7.4 million in the bank in a state where TV ads are cheap.
Should Cheney lose to Hageman on Tuesday, she’ll be the final Republican to fall to a Trump-backed primary challenger after having voted to impeach him. Four of the 10 opted to retire, three have already lost primaries, and two survived primaries (in one of those two, Trump didn’t endorse a challenger).
Cheney has arguably given up the most of any elected Republican — one who had been on a path to potentially become speaker of the House someday — to draw a line against Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election by all means available to him.
But she now has a national fundraising platform, cash in the bank and a bipartisan set of admirers, leading many Republicans and Democrats to believe there’s method to the way she has run her campaign.
“Nobody would piss off the entire state of Wyoming without another plan,” said Kasey Mateosky, a Republican running for a seat on the Teton Board of County Commissioners. “She has to have an endgame.”
Some of Cheney’s backers hope Tuesday’s election is a point of metamorphosis, the moment when Cheney fully sheds the skin of a Wyoming Republican and becomes a presidential candidate who can argue she has prioritized the health of the republic over partisanship.
“I think this is going to open the door for her — she’ll stay in politics,” said Thomas Grisell, 75, a lifelong Democrat who switched parties to vote for Cheney. He credited her with responding to his call for help on a restorative justice program, and, while he hopes she causes an upset Tuesday night, he wants her to run for president.
“She would love to run against Trump,” he said.
Voters like Grisell were part of Cheney’s Hail Mary strategy to beat Trump’s forces in Wyoming, which he won in 2020 by 43 percentage points, his largest margin in the country. In a state where it is fairly easy for voters to switch party affiliation to vote in primaries, she tried to create a coalition of anti-Trump Republicans, independents and Democrats.
Her top two adversaries have been Trump and math. The former president is looking for retribution, and his supporters in the state are quicker to curse Cheney’s name than they are to identify themselves to reporters.
Unless there is a major last-minute shift in base Republicans’ views of Cheney, there simply don’t appear to be enough newly registered GOP voters to push her to victory.
What Each Zodiac Sign Should Eat Before Sleeping
- Aries (March 21 – April 19) – High-Protein Snack
As a fiery and energetic sign, Aries burns a lot of calories throughout the day. To keep their metabolism in check and prevent waking up hungry at midnight, a protein-rich snack is ideal. Greek yogurt with honey, almonds, or a boiled egg will help them recharge without feeling too heavy before bed.
- Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – Comforting & Soothing Food
Taurus loves food, and they need something that feels indulgent yet healthy. A warm bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and honey or a banana with peanut butter will satisfy their cravings and promote better sleep.
- Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – Light & Fun Snack
Geminis get bored easily, even with food. They need variety, so a mix of popcorn and nuts, a small fruit platter, or cheese crackers will keep things interesting while being easy to digest before bed.
- Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – Calming & Cozy Drinks
Being emotional and sensitive, Cancers need something comforting before sleep. A cup of chamomile tea with honey, warm milk with cinnamon, or a small bowl of rice pudding can help them relax and drift off into a peaceful sleep.
- Leo (July 23 – August 22) – Luxurious & Indulgent Treats
Leos love feeling pampered, even in their snacks. A small piece of dark chocolate, a cheese and cracker platter, or a few slices of mango with yogurt will give them that sense of indulgence while also being a great nighttime snack.
- Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – Healthy & Balanced Choice
Virgos prefer clean and nutritious foods. A banana smoothie with almond milk, a handful of walnuts, or chia seed pudding will give them the nutrients they need without upsetting their digestion before bedtime.
- Libra (September 23 – October 22) – Aesthetic & Tasty Snacks
Libras appreciate beauty and harmony, even in their food. A colorful fruit salad with yogurt, a slice of whole-grain toast with almond butter, or a few pieces of dark chocolate-covered strawberries will satisfy both their taste buds and their aesthetic sense.
- Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – Deep & Intense Flavors
Scorpios love deep, rich flavors. Dark berries like blueberries and blackberries, spicy herbal tea with ginger, or a few pieces of dark chocolate will match their mysterious and intense personality.
- Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – Adventurous & Exotic Snacks
Sagittarians love trying new things, even at night. A granola bar with dried exotic fruits, pistachios, or a slice of avocado toast with chili flakes will keep them excited while being a light pre-bedtime meal.
- Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – Classic & Reliable Foods
Capricorns prefer practical and timeless choices. Whole wheat peanut butter toast, a handful of walnuts, or a small bowl of cottage cheese with honey provides the right balance of nutrition and simplicity.
- Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – Quirky & Unconventional Snacks
Aquarians enjoy trying unusual things. Seaweed chips, hummus with whole-grain crackers, or avocado slices with lemon and salt will match their unique taste while keeping them full before bed.
- Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – Dreamy & Comforting Food
Pisces loves soft, dreamy foods. A bowl of warm cereal with milk, a small cup of chamomile tea with honey, or a spoonful of honey-drizzled yogurt will help them feel cozy and ready to dive into their dreams.