The 2026 Election, 18th Edition. Primary Voting Commences Edition. Vote like your future and that of your state depends on it, because it does, part two.

 

August 2, 2026

I wasn't going to do this, but the last thread just became too darned long and was creating havoc in the blog accordingly.

So, here we have our 18th edition for this season.  We'll abstain on predicting this one will run all the way until the primary, but the primary is only a little over two weeks away.

Here we note a very interesting item:

Joan Barron: Is A GOP Sea Change On The Way?

Phil Roberts, the legally trained University of Wyoming professor predicts that Harriet Hageman will lose.  That amounts to a prediction, without him saying so, that Sam Mead will win.

I sure hope he's right.

Hageman has been characterized by being nasty in public, while in the background she behaves more like a conventional Congressman.  Be that as it may, up until just a week ago or so she was a diehard Trump fan and in the category of enemies of public lands. When concerned Wyomingites wrote to her about their concerns on public land she basically called the stupid.

She needs to go.

A prediction if she does.  Wyoming "ranch girl" or no, she'll never come back. She owned a house in D.C. before she was even elected.

The author here notes that he voted last week.  And, we voted for:

Governor:  Barlow.

Senate:  Mead

House of Representatives:  Christensen.

Secretary of State:  Short.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Harshman

On people needing to go, Chuck Gray needs to depart politics, and preferably the state, as well.  Based on early rumors, that might well happen, but if it does, it looks like it may be Steve Friess who gains the state's seat in Congress.  Friess is seemingly really cutting into Gray's numbers.  

At the same time, it's pretty clear that Kevin Christensen is also rising.  Christensen is gaining the support of moderate Republicans and those concerned about public lands. Early on it was assumed these votes would go to Balow but Balow has really disappointed in this race to date, including making statements that would cut towards Trump when, as Barron has noted in her article, people even in Wyoming may be moving in the opposite direction.  I expected Balow to lead this race early on and hoped for her to replace Gray, but now I'm in the camp that has gone to Christensen.

August 4, 2026

A variety of odds and ends.

First, the real Republicans placed an add with Real Republican candidates in the CST:

I don't know much about some of these candidates, but do about others, or their opponents.  

Elissa Campbell is a one term incumbent who is being challenged by Pete Fox, a far right wing candidate who claims not be aligned with the Freedom Caucus but whom everyone pretty much is sure he is.  Julie Jarvis is also a one term incumbent who is being challenged by Jeanette Ward, a Chicago carpetbagger who is one of the original, and most extreme, WFC members who held the same seat for one term.

Engbretson is seeking to unseat extreme WFC landlord Bob Ide.  Ide obtained this seat several years ago by somehow unseating Drew Perkins.  Ide has been a disaster in terms of his extreme views.

Rob Hendry is a long time Wyoming local politician who lost his seat and is now seeking to take Lien's.  Hendry was a Natrona County Commissioner for several years before losing his seat.  Lien defeated long time legislator Tom Walters to obtain her seat in the last election, which was one in which the WFC did relatively well.

The CST also ran a copy of the ballot.

In other election news, Reid Rasner, who has released a flood of gadfly video shorts, hit on the Gabe Saint story.

This story was actually broken two years ago by The Laramie Reporter, who deserves credit for bringing it to light.

A rising figure within Wyoming’s far right engages regularly with white supremacist and antisemitic content

Somehow Rasner must have stumbled onto the story, but it's been out there all along and really should have been news as the underlying story is reprehensible  Whether Saint holds racist views or not I don't know, but he was flirting with websites that raise the question.  Some of the sites, moreover, are Francoist, which says a lot about the views the young man flirts with.

So does the fact that he recovered from being canned and brought Charlie Kirk to the University of Wyoming.  I've never been able to make up my mind about Kirk and of course Kirk's assassination means the final variant of Kirk is unknown to the world. But Kirk had entered the public sphere as an adherent of the Seven Mountains movement which has a distinct weltanschauung that most Americans would not share.  It's safe to assume, accordingly, that Saint is some sort of Christian Nationalist.

The fact that Saint survived being fired and went on to be Gray's campaign manager, while being a law student, says plenty about his drive, but it also says a lot about how a tiny independent news outlet really can't break a story nationwide.  If the story had been broken by WyoFile or the CST, Saint would be done for, and he should be, or at least he should be on a long hiatus.

The fact that Saint ended up as Gray's campaign manager says something about Gray.  Either he isn't paying attention to things at all, or he doesn't mind the association Saint has with movements that he's dabbled at looking at.  Or he's satisfied that Saint doesn't really hold such views.

I'll note that I've heard Saint talk in an informal occasion where his guard was really down on one occasion.  Given that, my impression is really unfair, but he came across as an arrogant asshole.  On that occasion he was dissing the professors of the University of Wyoming as being wholly liberal and seemed to literally despise the education he was receiving.  At the same time, however, I'll note that he was under the impression, inaccurately, of being the only one in the group, a rural crowd, to have ever attended university and arrogance amongst the young is pretty common.

One of Gray's competitors is Steve Friess, whom Republican insider Susan Stubson has an article about:

(OPINION) Plenty of Jack

Stubson is correct, Friess is basically flooding the zone with money and this is a test of whether, basically, a candidate in Wyoming can buy a seat in Congress.  That well trod road is the same one that Gray managed to trod to his current position as Secretary of State, albeit barely.  

Friess flyers who up in my mailbox constantly and the last one was really telling.  It promised to pass the SAVE Act. 

Any candidate promising to pass the SAVE Act shouldn't be voted on for anything ever as its wholly anti democratic.  It also promises to "Buck mail-in voter fraud" which it claims will help prevent liberals from stealing the election.

There's no threat liberals are going to steal an election, but the MAGA GOP is trying to steal the 2026 election right now.

Freiss was the target of a black money mailer by some group styling itself the Hometown Action Network.  It's shows Friess being bucked off a horse and notes he's not local.  It doesn't come out for anyone, however. We'd have to presume it's pro Gray, who nobody has ever seen with a horse.  

Indeed, of those running for this position who are the top contenders, Gray, Friess, Christensen, Rasner, and Balow, we know by far the least about Gray.  Indeed, hardly anything at all is known about him personally.

Neither Gray nor Friess deserve a vote.

Rasner, of course, will receive very few.  His candidacy is doomed and he's sort of faded from view.  I did see one large Rasner sign the other day, but it's safe to say at this point his political career in Wyoming is over.  What he's serving to do right now is to carve votes away from Gray, and that is a public service.  The question is whether those votes carved away end up going to Friess or a better candidate.

Going back to Albany County, a former Democratic candidate for the US House is running for a seat as an Albany County Commissioner.

Ben-David promises a scientific approach in bid for Albany County Commission seat

A climate change activist and former researcher, Merav Ben-David said water security is her top priority. She is one of four Democrats competing to be one of the party’s two nominees.

Last edition:

The 2026 Election, 17th Edition. Primary Voting Commences Edition. Vote like your future and that of your state depends on it, because it does.*

2026 Election, Carpetbaggers, Cynthia Lummis, Donald Trump, Enemies of Public Lands, Liz Cheney, Politics, Public Land, Republican Party, Richard Dodson, Wyoming, Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Doug Burgum, Elon Musk, Frank Chapman, J. R. Riggins, Jim Geringer, Kevin Christensen, National Conservatism, Neil Jeske, Reid Rasner, Tom Lubnau,Bo Biteman, Brent BienChuck Gray, Eric Barlow, Francoism, Harriet Hageman, James Byrd, Jillian Balow, Megan Degenfelder, Predictions, Samuel Mead, Steve Friess, Steve Harshman, Yeoman's Thirty-first law of behavior 

The 2026 Election, 17th Edition. Primary Voting Commences Edition. Vote like your future and that of your state depends on it, because it does.* More additional labels.

 

Chance for Gray, Rasner, and even Degenfelder, to be a man among men.

Okay, this is a Rhodesian Army recruiting poster, but in this "right culture" super "high T" administration, it seems appropriate.

This will sound completely facetious, but I don't mean for it to be.

42 years of age is the maximum enlistment age for the Army and Air Force.

28 is the maximum enlistment age for the Marine Corps.

41 years of age is the maximum enlistment age for the Navy.

42 is also the maximum enlistment age for the Space Farce.

Chuck Gray, who loves all things Trump more than Trump does, and who loves Trump more than Trump loves Trump, is 36 years old.

Reid Rasner, who claims to love Trump even more than Chuck loves Trump, is 40 years of age.

Megan Degenfelder is age 37, and the Armed Forces take girls now, at least for the time being.  She proudly boast that she's endorsed by Trump in her race for the Governor, although the WFC has endorsed government tit suck Brent Bien.

Bien, a Marine Corps veteran, is 58 years old.  The general retirement age for Marine Corps officers is 62 years of age.  He could get back in.

The good news for all of these red blooded Americans is that they can now sign up to fight Iran and show their support for their Commander In Chief.  

After all, they wouldn't want the dead for Trump to be mostly New York African Americans, American Hispanics and American Central Asians, and 3/4's women, now would they.

That wouldn't be very High T.

And, and I'm serious, if these people think Trump can do no wrong, and is so great, they can show it by offering something serious that isn't just self promoting.

The 2026 Election, 16th Edition. The skeptical eye edition.

July 11, 2026

As we head into the final days of the primary election, which for most offices is, unfortunately, the election, we here in Wyoming are being subjected to a daily bombardment of election propaganda crap, most of which assumes that if Donald Trump bent over and pulled his oversize trousers down, you'd gleefully kiss his big white ass.

And that's exactly what most of the candidates for Congress are doing.

Having said that, either election fatigue or the rise of local issues is baffling a few.

For the House, Chuck Gray is flopping around like a carp thrown out on the beach looking for something he thinks can outrage you into voting for the little rich carpetbagger whose never had to really work.  Gadfly Reid Rasner, who doesn't stand a chance (and whose been mysteriously absent recently) actually seems to have hurt Chuck by calling him China Chuck.  Chuck's most recently effort is to pretend to be horrified by birthright citizenship.  Given as Trump sort of excused Graham Platner from rape accusations the other day, we can assume lil' Chuck is searching for a girlfriend to make accusations against him so that he can get a Trump accolade.

Foster Friess, another rich carpetbagger, has been running for the same position, Congressman, and has hit on the "I've never had to work a real job but you dumb fucks have to so I'm going to pretend that you want a job on the floor of an oil rig where you will get killed".

As noted, Rasner has just dropped off the screen.

And of course we have Florida cracker Frank Chapman on screen looking like his new cowboy boots hurt his feet and pretending to be one of us.

We can hope that Jillian Balow is getting some traction, as she seems by far the least objectionable Republican candidate for Congress. She also must be the least well funded of the good candidates as we don't see her campaign material nearly as often, unfortunately.

This isn't everyone running on the GOP ticket.  Bo Biteman, of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Kevin Christensen, a vet who'd like to kiss Trump's big white ass, Richard Dodson, David Giralt and Keith Goodenough all are as well.  Goodenough is the most interesting candidate in the race, having been a well know Natrona County candidate whose served in various offices, and who has served both as a Republican and Democrat.

If the primary election were today we would vote for, for Congress, Balow.

Democrats running for this office are Elena Del Real and Boomer Lisa Kinney.  Kinney will win and then go down so badly in the general it'll leave a crater visible from space in her native Albany County.

If we were registered as Democrats and the primary was elected today, we'd just not vote either of these two obvious losers.

If the general election was held today, and we had our choice of candidates, we'd vote for Balow.

For the Senate seat, a propaganda flyer for Harriet Hageman came this week for the first time.  That fact would suggest she doesn't figure she actually has to spend much money.  Other candidates in that race are Jill Edwards, John Holtz, the gadfly Baby Boomer who just won't go away, Sam Mead and Jimmy Skovgard.  Mead is by far the best candidate in this race but he faces an uphill battle against Hageman simply because she's in Congress.

If the primary election was held today we'd vote for Mead.

On the Democratic side  Billy Benavidez is running against James Byrd.  Byrd is a very good candidate and may be the best candidate in the entire race from either party.  A Byrd v. Mead race would really serve the state.

If the primary election was held today and we were registered as Democrats, we'd vote for Byrd.

If the general election was held today and we had our choice of candidates, we're not sure what we'd do.

For Governor the race seems to have Eric Barlow, out in front.  He's a very good candidate.  Megan Degenfelder is running on having been Superintendent of Public Education and that Donald "Grab 'em by the Pussy" Trump has endorsed her.  Brent Bien is running on the "I worked my entire life for the government (USMC) and hate the government ticket".  A lot of WFC people like him as they're gullible and ignorant.  The WFC has a flyer with Bien, Chuck and Hageman circling.  A Curt Blake is also running.

If the primary election was held today we'd vote for Barlow.

On the Democratic side Ken Casner is running as the symbol of the dead Democratic Party in the state, as he's so old he may in fact have already passed on.

If the primary election was held today and we were registered as Democrats we'd scream in anger and refuse to fill out the ballot on this one.

If the general election was held today and we had our choice of candidates, we'd vote for Balow.

For Wyoming Secretary of State the GOP candidates are Jason Fearneyhough, Qwenton Eagle Oviatt, Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, Robert Short and Charles Young.  Of these candidates, right now, the only ones I know anything about are carpetbagger Rodriguez-Williams, an odd man off Hispanic in the Wyoming Fascist Caucus, and Robert Short, long time Converse County Commissioner.

If the primary was held today, we'd vote for Short, but we need to look into these candidates more.

For the Democrats, there's Bryan McCarty, whom we know nothing about.

If the general election was held today and we had our choice of candidates, right now it'd be Short, but we're not wedded to that position.  We'd never vote for Rodriguez-Williams.

For Superintendent of Public Instruction the GOP race features Chad Auer, Steve Harshman and Thomas Kelly.  Harsham is a long time teacher and educator and is by far the best choice on the GOP side.  On the Democratic side Ana Cordova and Sergio Maldonado are running, both of whom are educators.

If the primary election was held today we'd vote for Harshman.

If the general election was held today we're not sure what we would do.

The primary will decide the Treasurer's race as only Republicans Curt Meier and Scott Smith are running.  Meier will win.

In other races, we'd like to see Bear, Allemand, and Ide retired to private life. I.e, lose and lose badly.

In news from elsewhere, Graham Platner officially pulled out of the race, but with the least apologetic message ever.

Platner was, of course, lately accused of rape and had some troubling aspects to him early on.  The rape accusations, however, were a bridge too far for Democrats, thankfully.

One of the main aspects of the Platner saga has been the degree to which it really exposed the hypocrisy of the GOP, which started off by attempting to mount the high horse of morality which was bucking wildly. A party that has "Grab em by the Pussy" "I went to Epstein Island but didn't notice it was rapey" Trump and a host of other moral creeps can't really be complaining about morality  When the Democrats in fact demanded that Platner drop out that left them in a bit of a pickle as they got what they were urging but, by extension, that means they have to clear out the bordello in order to have any moral credibility, which they aren't going to do.

Indeed, Donald Trump came to Platner's defense, noting that sometimes the accusatrixes are fibbers, which sometimes they indeed are.  His point is, of course, that he's maintained all along he's not a moral creep and his female accusers are lying.  It's pretty clear not all of them are lying about what they accuse Trump of, but at any rate he came to Platner's defense.  It'd have been amusing if Trump had endorsed Platner, which I could actually see sort of happening.  In a weird sort of way, Platner is what J. D. Vance once was, but with a side order of massively problematic personal issues.

July 12, 2026

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away yesterday at the age of 71.  Once a staunch opponent of Donald Trump, during Trump's first administration he became a strong supporter.  In recent years, almost pathetically so.

Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement.  He has absolute discretion, but he's a Republican and will choose a Republican.  He's also a strong Trump supporter.

Graham was facting Dr. Annie Andrews who stood a strong chance of defeating him.  His death makes it likely that his successor will prevail in the fall.

It seems quite likely that Graham died of a heart attack.  He was two years older than his father was when his father died the same way.  That event left him raising his 13 year old sister, as his mother had already passed away.

He attended university while raising his sister on an ROTC scholarship and served after law school in the USAF.  After his active duty career he continued to serve in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.  He was always a JAG officer.  He was a government attorney for local municipalities briefly before entering Congress in 1994.  In his first race, he was supported by Strom Thurmond.

Graham never married.

July 14, 2026

The Governor of South Carolina appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator, as his replacement for the balance of his term.  She is unlikely to run for the seat, which is up this term.

Quite a few contenders are lining up to compete for it, with some Nancy Mace practically begging for the seat while pretending that she's being begged to take it.

Closer to home, Chuck Gray (who's never been married and for whom there's no known current or former known former love interest) is complaining about a something gadfly Reid Rasner (who has been married, and divorced, to a man) said in Rasner's doomed campaign.

Gray Calls Rasner ‘A Child' For Bringing His Dad Into Fiery GOP Primary Race

According to the Cowboy State Daily:

From about Friday through Monday, Rasner’s political Facebook page showcased screenshots that depict Jan Charles Gray – who is the father of one of Rasner’s opponents, Secretary of State Chuck Gray – reacting to Rasner’s posts with heart-face and fire emojis. 

“Chuck Gray’s Dad Supports Reid,” says a banner attached to one of the posts.

That upset Chuck who likes to run around calling people names but doesn't like to be picked on.  The Daily reached out to Chuck's father who replied, “Clearly I support my son, Chuck Gray, 100% - and he’s going to win, Reid Rasner is a very troubled individual. Chuck Gray for Congress.”

What seems to be the case is that the elder Gray liked some of Rasner's Facebook posts, which is a pretty good reason to question his political leanings, although they frankly are pretty similar to his son's.

The Gray v. Rasner fight is one that Gray, frankly, deserves.  Rasner is a gadfly, with a campaign so wacky that some have questioned if its a comedy act, but his views aren't really very far from Gray's, which ought to be regarded as comedic.

cont:

Donald Trump is schedule for a television appearance this Thursday which appears to be part of his pathetic fable that he won the 2020 election he lost, and as part of his push for the Stop Americans from Voting Act.

The gullible will no doubt listen to whatever stream of lies he spouts.

July 15, 2026

Early and absentee voting for the primaries starts on July 21 and ends on Aug. 17. 

Primary election day is Tuesday, Aug. 18.

I usually try to vote early since the county decided to consolidate a bunch of voting locations into one, at the Fairgrounds.  I frankly don't appreciate that much.

It was for paranoid security concerns.

A Miller article:

Horses, hats and political propaganda as Wyoming prepares to vote

Miller is spot on.  We are in the hats, boots and horses season, with politicians who don't normally wear Western togs, and probably fear horses, get photographed like they're appearing in Lonesome Dove.

July 16, 2026

Right up until now he was proclaiming his innocence and claiming policy abuse:

Rep. Bill Allemand Pleads Guilty To DUI, Gets Probation And $500 Fine

I don't hold the DUI against him.  Lots of people end up having a one off conviction for this, although you surely should not drink and drive.

No, I do hold the diehard claim of innocence and police misconduct against him, and his lawyer.

And frankly his WFC views.

Don't vote for this guy, there's no reason to.

Nor should you vote for his diehard defender Rozmaring Czaban.  Czaban has an Allemand apologist role the same way that Trump cabinet members have to Trump.  I don't know what the deal is, but Czaban, a candidate for Natrona County Commissioner was defending Alleman as late as earlier this week.

There are a lot of good candidates for Natrona County Commissioner. She isn't one.

Tonight, unfortunately at the same time as the demented fascist seeks to justify stealing elections:

Superintendent of public instruction candidate forum livestream

The forum features three Republican candidates for Wyoming’s education chief.

And also:

Moderate Wyo Republicans battle to reclaim their party

July 7, 2026

In an effort to steal the 2026 election and undermine democracy, Donald Trump, a demented narcissist whose occupancy of the White House is itself illegal and illegitimate, delivered a broadcast which attempted to show that, basically, China had tried to influence the news, but which instead showed that Russia had, and in his favor.

Trump is a traitor to the country and the 25th Amendment or an impeachment, or just a declaratory judgment action demonstrating that he's legally unqualified for the office, should be undertaken immediately.

Anyone claiming to be endorsed by him, or seeking office to support his efforts, is supporting a traitor and should not be voted for.

Republican Party Campaign Poster.

And while Der Fibber was seeking to create a fable, this was included in his release:

Oh my.

An example of somebody who should not be voted for:

Degenfelder Releases Trump Double-Down Endorsement With A Month Before Primary

Republicans with lots of self bucks:

GOP candidates in Wyoming’s US House race self-fund campaigns to the tune of nearly $6 million

Republicans who aren't Dixiecrats or Fascists:

Common Sense Republicans for Wyoming Voter Guide Now Available

July 18, 2026

FEC Report: Four Wyoming House Candidates Loan Themselves More Than $1 Million Each

This edition is only a week old, and it's already uncomfortably large, so we'll close it out and move on to the next one.

Related threads:

Tonight Der Führer will speak to you of the Reichstag Fire, um, no, Donald Trump will speak to you of the stolen 2020 election. Same lie, same theme, by the same people, 93 years later. Let's blow American democracy's brains out to calm the wounded feelings of childish Donald Trump, loser.

Pollice Verso. The 2026 Political Negative Endorsement. The Don't Vote For List.

2026 Election, Chuck Gray, Cynthia Lummis, Dixiecrats, Eric Barlow, Harriet Hageman, Ignorance, Megan Degenfelder, Populism, Public Land, Republican Party, Trailing thread, Wyoming Freedom Caucus

Last edition:

The 2026 Election, 15th Edition. Trump will attempt to steal the election.

Labels: 2020s, 2026, 2026 Election, 2027, Chuck Gray, Conspiracy Theories, Donald Trump, Harriet Hageman, John Barrasso, The Second Trump Administration

The 2026 Election, 14th Edition. The “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor" edition.

Labels: 120th Congress, 2020s, 2026, 2026 Election, Alaska, Chuck Gray, Colorado, Distributism, Enemies of Public Lands, Graham Platner, Lisa Engebretsen, The 2021 Insurrection, Wyoming Freedom Caucus, You heard it here first

Tonight Der Führer will speak to you of the Reichstag Fire, um, no, Donald Trump will speak to you of the stolen 2020 election. Same lie, same theme, by the same people, 93 years later. Let's blow American democracy's brains out to calm the wounded feelings of childish Donald Trump, loser.

By Eddie Adams, Associated Press - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/world/asia/vietnam-execution-photo.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=153554473

Tonight Donald Trump will come on television to lie.  

The lie has been told before, many times.  Terrible demonized opponents, most probably Communists, have tried to subvert the the will of The People.  It's a crisis.  You must sacrifice your civil liberties, even if only briefly, in order to allow the State to take on this terrible, terrible danger.

Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party told the lie in 1933.  Communists, the German people were told, had burned down the Reichstag.  The solution was to put the gun to the head of the fragile German democracy and blow its brains out.

Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and the State of February 28, 1933

In virtue of Article 48(2) of the German Constitution, the following is decreed as a defensive measure against communist acts of violence endangering the state:

Article 1

Sections 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124, and 153 of the Constitution of the German Reich are suspended until further notice. Therefore, restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press, on the right of assembly and the right of association, and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communications, warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations, as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed.

Article 2

If in a state the measures necessary for the restoration of public security and order are not taken, the Reich Government may temporarily take over the powers of the highest state authority.

Article 3

According to orders decreed on the basis of Article 2 by the Reich Government, the authorities of states and provinces, if concerned, have to abide thereby.

Article 4

Whoever provokes, or appeals for, or incites the disobedience of the orders given out by the supreme state authorities or the authorities subject to them for execution of this decree, or orders given by the Reich Government according to Article 2, is punishable—insofar as the deed is not covered by other decrees with more severe punishments—with imprisonment of not less than one month, or with a fine from 150 up to 15,000 reichsmarks.

Whoever endangers human life by violating Article 1 is to be punished by sentence to a penitentiary, under mitigating circumstances, with imprisonment of not less than six months and, when violation causes the death of a person, with death, under mitigating circumstances, with a penitentiary sentence of not less than two years. In addition the sentence may include confiscation of property.

Whoever provokes or incites an act contrary to public welfare is to be punished with a penitentiary sentence, under mitigating circumstances, with imprisonment of not less than three months.

Article 5

The crimes which under the Criminal Code are punishable with penitentiary for life are to be punished with death: i.e., in Paragraphs 81 (high treason), 229 (poisoning), 306 (arson), 311 (properties), and 324 (general poisoning). Insofar as a more severe punishment has not been previously provided for, the following are punishable with death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment not to exceed 15 years:

1. Anyone who undertakes to kill the Reich President or a member or a commissioner of the Reich Government or of a state government, or provokes such a killing, or agrees to commit it, or accepts such an offer, or conspires with another for such a murder;

1. Translated from Reichsgesetzblatt I, 1933, p. 83.

2. Anyone who under Paragraph 115(2) of the Criminal Code (serious rioting) or under Paragraph 125(2) of the Criminal Code (serious disturbance of the peace) commits the act with arms or cooperates consciously and intentionally with an armed person;

3. Anyone who commits a kidnapping under Paragraph 239 of the Criminal Code with the intention of making use of the kidnapped person as a hostage in the political struggle.

This decree is in force from the day of its announcement.

Berlin, February 28, 1933

The Reich President von Hindenburg 

The Reich Chancellor A Hitler

The Minister of Interior Frick

The Minister of Justice Dr. Gürtner

You are going to be told that tonight.

The 2020 election was stolen, Donald Trump will lie.  It must have been, as his fragile toddler's ego can't handle if it wasn't. Surrounded by sycophants who help sooth his suspicions that he's dumb (spelled, as he just apparently learned, with a "b"), he truly can't handle the truth.  So the solution is to put the gun to the head of American democracy and blow its brains out.

Trump's administration, with its own goals and desires, all of them anti democratic, have their own aims in this.  MAGA is a set of willing dupes, drunk on the lies and apparently unwilling to get up from the bar stool and get a ride home.

There's a very real chance that Trump will succeed at this.  From today, until November, democracy will be besieged.  If the Republicans cannot completely subvert the November election, they'll seek to subvert it thereafter.  If the Democrats win in the fall, the period from November until January will be an all out effort to destroy the results of the election.  It won't even be subtle.

And sadly, many Republican members of Congress, like John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, will go all in to help Trump even though, in backrooms and with their close friends, they undoubtedly think he's a lunatic.  

The question usually is for something like this, what can be done.  Well, being honest and open about your honesty from now until January is about all most can do.  Don't vote for the Chuck Gray's, Harriet Hagemans, Reid Rasners and Megan Degenfelders.  Be true to your conscience and the country.

And frankly, don't bother with Trump's parade of lies tonight.  Trump's only real power is that people who surround him are convinced they will not bear the price of his sins.  They will, at some point.  Sending the message that we're done listening to Trump starts letting them know that the bill is coming due very soon.

The 2026 Election, 13th Edition. The choosing lanes edition.

June 19, 2026

The mere fact that somebody is running against Bear, one of the most notable of the WFC, is a good thing.  Here's hoping that Bear is solidly and permanently defeated.

John Bear, One Of The Freedom Caucus’ Most Powerful Members, Has A Challenger

And something that should be obvious, but for all the political theater:

Tom Lubnau: Our Leaders Today Need To Think Like The Leaders Of The 1970s

June 20, 2026

Ousted UW dean to challenge Freedom Caucus incumbent

Cam Wright seeks House 46’s Republican nomination. Known to many in Laramie as UW’s former engineering dean, Wright is involved in ongoing litigation against the university.

June 24, 2026

Three Democratic Socialist won primaries in New York City in Democratic Congressional primaries, causing pundits to somewhat freak out.

Frankly the fascist nature of the current GOP is making this inevitable. The WFC is, for example, every bit as radical as New York's Democratic Socialist and Trump is governing as a dictator to the extent that the courts don't prohibit him, so the rise of the left wing within the Democratic Party isn't too surprising.

While the right freaks out about New York City, here locally the GOP demands you swear your loyalty.

‘These are purity tests’: Driskill, Neiman talk platform allegiance in political heavyweight matchup

I've seen one candidate, a carpetbagging far right winger from Wisconsin, already put his "Meine Ehre Heisst Treue" tag on his posters.

On a ballot initiative.

Coalition demands records on tax initiative; Gray’s office calls claims false

An interesting development in the statewide races:

35 Candidates, Including Two Wyo Gov Hopefuls, Sign Love Your Enemies Pledge

At this point, what's particularly interesting is who has signed, and who has not.

The entity it self has some every notable names behind it. According to their website:

Justice Keith Kautz (Retired Wyoming Supreme Court, Evangelical Leader Southeast Wyoming)

Diana Enzi (Long time Wyoming activist and advocate for Christ from Gilette Wyoming)

Jim Neiman (Business, civic and Christian leader from Hullett, Wyoming)

Michael Evers (Business Leader and Episcopal Priest from Sheridan Wyoming)

Evan Simpson (Business Leader and Religious Leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from Star Valley, Wyoming)

Frank Moore (Business Leader and active in the Catholic community in Douglas, Wyoming)

Diemer True (Business, civic and Christian leader from Casper Wyoming)

Ron Rabou (Farmer, author and motivational speaker and leader in Christian community and member of Converge Worldwide from Albin, Wyoming)

Patty Micheli (Rancher and Religious leader and teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Fort Bridger, Wyoming).

Mike Leman (Legislative Liaison for the Dioceses of Cheyenne, Deacon at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming)

The text of the pledge is:

THE PEACEMAKER PLEDGE

I believe that as a follower of Jesus, I am called to be a peacemaker— not a partisan soldier, and not a voice of outrage. I recognize that our politics has become poisoned by hatred, tribalism, and fear, and I confess that I too have been tempted to replace grace with outrage, truth with slogans, and love with loyalty to a side.

Today, I pledge to be different.

I will love my enemies, not just my friends. I will stand faithfully upon my convictions without giving into cruelty. I will call out wrongdoing without canceling people. I will refuse to let the letters on someone’s hat or the hashtags in their bio mean more to me than the Gospel. I will not be swept up in the outrage cycle, but will instead step out of the chaos and boldly examine my own actions.

I commit to bringing the peace of Christ back into the public square—to show a divided world what it truly looks like to follow Him, not as a culture warrior but as a Kingdom person.

I take to heart the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” And I hold fast to the call of Luke 6: “Love your enemies, do good to them… Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

This is my pledge. By God’s grace, I will become a peacemaker.

The candidates who have signed the pledge, which you can do on their website, are, so far:

GOVERNOR

Eric Barlow
Governor

Megan Degenfelder
Governor

U.S. SENATE

Jimmy Skovgard
U.S. Senate

U.S. HOUSE

Jillian Balow
U.S. House of Representatives

Bo Biteman
U.S. House of Representatives

Kevin Christensen
U.S. House of Representatives

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Steve Harshman
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SENATE

Evie Brennan
Senate District 31

Ogden Driskill
Senate District 2

Ronald McCleary
Senate District 5

Marcia Neumiller
Senate District 27

Lauren Schoenfeld
Senate District 5

Wendy Schuler
Senate District 15

HOUSE

Dalton Banks
House District 26

Elizabeth Bingham
House District 17

Ronda Boller
House District 52

Peter Boyer
House District 58

Jessica Crowder
House District 43

Christopher Dresang
House District 35

Erin Edwards
House District 41

Justin Fornstrom
House District 10

David Hill
House District 50

Lloyd Larsen
House District 54

Martha Lawley
House District 27

Matthew Legler
House District 25

Jayme Lien
House District 38

Roland Luehne
House District 28

Myca Sturtevant
House District 29

Shane Swett
House District 13

Art Washut
House District 36

John Wetzel
House District 25

JD Williams
House District 2

Paul Wing
House District 11

Bill Winney
House District 20

COUNTY

Macey Moore
Converse County Commissioner

COUNTY PARTY

Michael Evers
Sheridan County GOP Precinct Person- Precinct 2-5

My guess is that after the article, some who haven't signed, or who aren't aware of it, will sign or will feel compelled to sign.

Notably, in the House, the big money candidates, Gray, Freiss and Rasner have not signed.  Gray's an entire political career has been based on being a lying asshole, so this puts him in a spot.  When he gets up at night and stubs his toes he blames it on left wing radical communist Marxist socialist fascist monarchist podiatrist, so that would take a major part of his repertoire out of play and actually make him live part of his faith.  Rasner has gone full comedic sideshow at this point, but it would take the extreme out of the candidate whose been the most extreme.  It probably wouldn't impact Freiss who hasn't attacked his opponents, but who is, in a very nice way, relying upon "I'll bring jobs to Wyoming of a type that I've worked at myself because I believe you dumb twits want to exist in the imaginary 1950s".

It's also interesting that only one Senatorial candidate, Skovogard, has signed it.

June 25, 2026

Interesting development.

Wyoming Congressional Candidate Reid Rasner Fired By Clearinghouse

Rasner didn't appear recently in Casper's weekly candidate forum when it invited the house contestants to speak.  That's odd as Casper is his home town.  Now this.

And this:

Postmaster General Confirms Plan to Hold Back Mail Ballots Under Proposed Rule

The postmaster general, David Steiner, said on Wednesday that under a proposed rule, his agency would not deliver mail ballots in states that decline to hand over voter data.

This is illegal.

Last edition:

The 2026 Election, 12th Edition. The late on ramp edition.

Labels: 2020s, 2026, 2026 Drought, 2026 Election, Ana Cordova, Chad Auer, Chuck Gray, Curt Meier, Donald Trump, Eric Barlow, Jillian Balow, Reid Rasner, Rod Miller, Scott Smith, Sergio Maldonado, Steve Harshman, The wealthy, Tom Kelly