U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R) takes a phone call in this 2009 photo from the House Republican Conference. (Flickr Creative Commons/House Republican Conference)
On Nov. 12 U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R) announced she would not seek reelection in 2016. As one of Wyoming’s most experienced politicians, 2016 will mark her 30th year in elected office. She spent 12 years in the State House, two years in the State Senate, and eight years as Wyoming State Treasurer before winning four terms in U.S. Congress.
Lummis began her political career in 1979. At age 24, she was the youngest woman member of the Wyoming House of Representatives in state history. She married fellow legislator Rep. Alvin Wiederspahn (D) in 1983, and earned a law degree at the University of Wyoming in 1985.
During her two terms as state treasurer from 1999 to 2007, Lummis led the conversion of state investments from mostly fixed income funds to a diversified portfolio.
In 2014 Lummis’ husband Wiederspahn died of a heart attack. The two raised one daughter, Anneliese Wiederspahn.
During her current term, Lummis joined the Freedom Caucus, a group that used leverage to oust House Speaker John Boehner from his chair. She lost her position as a “deputy whip” in June after opposing Boehner on a rules vote related to a trade deal.
Following the news of Lummis’ intention not to run in 2016, Wyoming Rep. Tim Stubson (R-Casper) announced he would seek the seat. Stubson joins Jason Senteney of Yoder, a corrections officer as a candidate in the 2016 race for the GOP nomination.
For more on Lummis’ career, read this in-depth WyoFile report.
Read Lummis’ statement on not seeking reelection in 2016.
We have two Senators who represent the National Republican Party and a Representative who is even more extreme. Please tell me there is someone out there, in either party, who will serve the people of Wyoming, not just corporations, billionaires, and a party run by them. Please tell me there is someone who can see something other than fossil fuels that is of value here and worth protecting and representing. There must be someone who values working people, families, women, health, education, and the natural beauty of Wyoming, more than profits and their own political career. Both parties should be taking applications now, no hacks or lackeys allowed. (Note to Democrats: make a serious, not a token, run.)
Linda Anderson
It’s great news for Wyoming. Now we can get some one that will listen. My feeling she will run for Governor!
Ron Walker