Primary Election

Voters go the polls Tuesday

The 2026 Wyoming Primary Election is finally here. After many months of campaigning, town halls, meet and greets and attack ads flooding mailboxes, the Primary takes place next Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Many voters have already cast their ballot by mail, but for those who go to the polls, voting will take place Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In North Big Horn County, precinct polling places are: Lovell -- Community Center, 1925 Highway 310; Cowley -- Town Hall/Log Gym, 55 East First Street South; Byron – Town Complex, 35 South Pryor Street; Deaver – Town Hall/Community Hall, 113 First Avenue West; Frannie – Town Hall/Community Center, 305 Fifth Street.

Although the deadline to change voter registration has passed, citizens who are not registered may register to vote at their polling place on Election Day. New applicants must provide proof of identity, proof of U.S. citizenship and proof of Wyoming residency. A Wyoming driver’s license is sufficient for all three requirements, but for more information on what documentation is required to register, visit the Wyoming Secretary of State website, click on Elections, pull down to Elections Home, click on Forms in the list to the left, click on Voter Registration and click on Wyoming Voter Registration Form.

The state requires voters to show a form of ID when voting in-person: a Wyoming driver’s license or ID card, tribal ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military card, driver’s license or ID card from another state, University of Wyoming student ID, Wyoming Community College student ID, Wyoming concealed carry firearm permit, Medicare or Medicaid insurance card.

The contests

Perhaps the most hotly contested race in Big Horn County is the four-man race for the Republican nomination for sheriff among current deputies Jeff Angell and Craig Shidler, interim sheriff Jason Beal and Greybull Chief of Police Travis Davis. One will advance to the November 3 General Election. There is not a filed candidate on the Democratic ticket.

Another key race in Tuesday’s Primary is the contest for two seats on the Big Horn County Commission. Vying for two GOP nominations are incumbent Deb Craft, Tim Beck, Jared Boardman, Randall Gormley, Rodney Hopkin, Mike Laird and Jeff McCollam.  Two will advance to the General Election, and like all of the county races, there is no Democrat on the ballot.

The third contested county wide race is a two-way contest for the Republican nomination for Big Horn County Coroner between incumbent Mike Jameson and Clayton Dragoo. One will advance to the General.

All other county officeholders are unopposed on Tuesday: County Attorney Marcia Bean, County Clerk Lori Smallwood, County Treasurer Nicole Vigil, County Assessor Cozette Winters and Clerk of District Court Serena Lipp.

There are two legislative seats up for grabs in the north end of the county, again with only Republican candidates having filed. Rep. Dalton Banks of Cowley is seeking re-election to his Wyoming House District No. 26 seat in the legislature and is facing a challenge for the GOP nomination from J. Addison Aagard of Lovell.

With Sen. Dan Laursen retiring, two are vying for the Senate District 19 seat in the Wyoming State Senate, both with experience in the legislature. Former senator and Big Horn County native R. J. Kost of Powell is seeking the GOP nomination along with House District 25 Rep. Paul Hoeft, also of Powell.

Statewide races

The largest race on the state level is the battle for the Republican nomination for Wyoming’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Vying to replace Rep. Harriet Hageman, who is running for the U.S. Senate, are Republicans Jillian Balow of Cheyenne, the former Wyoming Supt. of Public Instruction, State Senator Bo Biteman of Ranchester, Kevin Christensen of Casper, Richard Dodson of Sundance, Steve Friess of Cheyenne, David Giralt of Mills, Keith Goodenough of Casper, Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Reid Rasner of Casper. Seeking the Democratic nomination are Elena Del Real of Lander and Kisa Kinney of Laramie.

One from each party will advance to the General Election.

Running to succeed the retiring Cynthia Lummis in the U.S. Senate are Republican hopefuls Jill Edwards of Laramie, Rep. Hageman, John Holtz of Laramie, Sam Mead of Jackson and Jimmy Skovgard of Casper, along with Democrats Billy Benavidez of Sheridan and James Byrd of Cheyenne.

One from each party will advance.

There are four races for the top five state elected officials. Four Republicans and one Democrat are seeking nominations to replace the retiring Governor Mark Gordon. Republicans are State Senator Eric Barlow of Gillette, Brent Bien of Cody, Curt Blake of Centennial and Supt. of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder. The lone Democrat is Kenneth Casner of Elk Mountain.

Running for Secretary of State are Republicans Qwenton Eagle Oviatt of Hudson, Robert Short of Douglas, State Rep. Rachel Williams of Cody and CJ Young of Cheyenne and Democrat Bryan McCarty of Worland.

Seeking the GOP nomination for Wyoming State Treasurer are incumbent treasurer Curt Meier of La Grange and challenger Scott Smithnof Lingle. Running for Supt. of Public Instruction are Republicans Chad Auer of Cheyenne, State Rep. Steve Harshman of Casper and State  Rep. Tom Kelly of Sheridan, along with Democrats Ana Cordova of Cheyenne and Sergio Maldonado Sr. of Lander.

Republican Kristi Racines is unopposed for her Wyoming State Auditor seat. There are no filed Democratic candidates for State Auditor or State Treasurer.

Town races

In the non-partisan races for municipal office, up to two candidates per seat will advance to the General Election.

Running for office in Lovell are incumbent Mayor Tom Newman and two incumbents on the town council in Dan Anderson and Bob Mangus. The councilmen are challenged by Jeff McCollam and Jason Sumaya.

In Byron, Mayor Allan Clark is also unopposed, and seeking seats on the town council are incumbents Shae Abraham and Brandon Hessenthaler, challenged by Taliesha Beech.

Stephen Winters is unopposed in his bid to replace the retiring Joel Peterson as mayor of Cowley, and running for council are incumbent Scott Crosby along with Dexter Woodis and Rose Ames.

Bill Camp is also unopposed as he seeks to retain his position as mayor of Deaver, and seeking council seats (four-year) are incumbents Kayla James and Shauna Crouch. Though his name is on the ballot, there is no candidate for a two-year seat on the council with the recent passing of Stephen Gillet.

Incumbent Garret Frescoln is unopposed for Mayor of Frannie, and running for two four-year seats on the town council are incumbents Guy Desantis and Keara Poole. There is no filed candidate for a two-year seat on the council.