Another Wyoming Republican is throwing his hat into the GOP primary race in an effort to unseat Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY-At Large District).
Darin Smith, a Cheyenne-based businessman, announced his candidacy Friday, according to a press release. The Wyoming native describes himself as “pro-God, pro-family, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-veteran, pro-oil and gas, and pro-agriculture.”
Smith told The Cowboy State Daily that Cheney is “more vulnerable” to a primary challenge in 2022 than she was back in 2016.
“Obviously, her national stature is going down the tubes,” he told the State Daily. “She does not share the same worldview of the Republican Party.”
In his campaign video, Smith said Liz Cheney “voted against Wyoming” when she voted to impeach former President Donald Trump.
Three months ago, the Wyoming GOP censured Cheney over her impeachment vote of former President Donald Trump.
This will not be the first time Smith has faced off against Cheney in an election. Previously, Smith ran against her back in 2016 in the GOP primary. However, he came in fourth out of nine places five years ago.
The practicing lawyer told the State Daily that he has learned a lot since 2016.
“Back then (in 2016), my wife Alicia and I were so new at this,” he told the newspaper. “We didn’t even know how to raise money and run a campaign.”
To defeat Cheney this time around, Smith will have to contend with other Wyomingites who have already announced their candidacy. In January, Wyoming State Sen. Anthony Bouchard (R-6th District) and business owner Marissa Selvig announced they would run against Cheney.
Cheney has teamed up with a former Paul Ryan top aide to help her fight off these challenges.
During 2021’s first quarter, Cheney has raised $1.5 million, according to FEC records.
Whomever wins the Wyoming GOP primary has a strong chance of winning the state’s sole House seat. The last Democrat to represent Wyoming was in 1978.
While Cheney fights off challenges in her home state, she also is dealing with other Republican House members who don’t want to see her in a leadership role. This week, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA-01) said he wants Cheney removed from her Republican leadership position and to be replaced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21).
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected]. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Darin Smith” by Darin Smith.
Get enough challengers in the race and Lizzie girl will win again! Wake up people! Don’t let your ego get ahead of your common sense! Pick a good one and the rest step back! This is all part of Paul Ryan’s plan!