Rep. Liz Cheney has formally launched her reelection campaign, despite the Wyoming Republican Party voting to no longer consider her a Republican.
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Cheney’s primary opponent Harriet Hageman.
“Some things have to matter,” Cheney said in a video announcing her campaign. “American freedom, the rule of law, our founding principles, the foundations of our republic matter. What we do in this election in Wyoming matters.”
“I’m asking for your vote because this is a fight we must win,” she continued.
The Wyoming Republican Party voted to formally censure Cheney in February of 2021 and removed her from her role as conference chair the following May for her over-the-top opposition to Trump, including voting to impeach him and participating in the ridiculous January 6 committee. The state party later voted to no longer recognize her as a Republican at all.
On a national level, House Republicans removed her from her role as conference chair.
Last month it was revealed that the vast majority of Cheney’s donors do not live in Wyoming and will not be able to vote for her.
“Texas tops the list with donors from that state contributing $556,430 to Cheney’s campaign. California is the second highest, with the state’s donors contributing $541,880. Cheney raised $466.100 from Virginia donors, $450,370 from Florida donors, $408,290 from New Yorkers and $215,600 from Connecticut donors. Donors from each of those states have contributed significantly more for Cheney’s 2022 reelection bid than they did for the 2020 election,” Open Secrets reports.
The report adds, “Last election cycle, Wyoming donors gave Cheney $276,290, more money than any other state. In 2021, Cheney raised $202,980 from donors in Wyoming, placing the state in seventh place.”
Cheney may have raised millions, but only $202,980 came from donors in Wyoming.
Hageman has raised about $745,382 — with the majority coming from in-state donors.
The Hill reports: “Trump is slated to stump for Hageman at a Saturday rally, which will also include video addresses by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who became chairwoman of the House Republican Conference after Cheney was ousted from the role last year. Saturday’s rally will also feature speeches from Hageman, Wyoming Republican Party Chairman Frank Eathorne and two more of Cheney’s House Republican colleagues, Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) and Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colo.).”
The Wyoming primary is on August 16.