2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Fighting what she calls the bloated administrative state.
Preserving what she describes as the western way of life.
Opposition to federal environmental regulation, the subject of her legal career.
Alignment with President Trump's agenda.
Opposition to federal rules she characterises as land grabs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large district since January 2023.
Defeated Rep. Liz Cheney in the 2022 Republican primary with President Trump's endorsement.
Member of the House Freedom Caucus.
Trial attorney for several decades, litigating against environmental groups and federal regulation.
Unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Wyoming in 2018.
Won the August 18 2026 Republican primary with 64.9%.
Endorsed by President Trump.
Told a Cody town hall: 'We never, ever, ever talk about disposing of any federal lands under any circumstance whatsoever.' Reporting after the widely protested federal land sale proposals indicates she still favours Sen. Mike Lee's efforts to sell federal land.
Arguments in favor
She was elected on a promise to fight the bloated administrative state and preserve the western way of life, and has spent her professional life litigating against federal overreach — directly relevant in a state that is roughly half federal land.
— Harriet Hageman for Senate campaign
She has joined other Wyoming leaders in opposing federal rules she describes as a dangerous and illegal land grab.
— Rep. Harriet Hageman's congressional office
She carries President Trump's endorsement, is a Freedom Caucus member, and took nearly 65% of a five-candidate primary.
— President Donald Trump's endorsement, as reported by NBC News
Arguments against
Her stance on public land sales shows she does not work for Wyoming: after proposals to make public parcels eligible for sale were widely protested and failed, she still backs Sen. Mike Lee's continued efforts to sell off federal land.
— WyoFile, in an opinion piece on her public lands record
On her town hall tour she 'made clear that she has no interest in actually listening to the people she represents — just parroting the D.C. party line,' and baited and insulted constituents who came to protest.
— Laramie Boomerang opinion coverage, and a letter to the editor in the Cody Enterprise
Wyoming's congressional representation does not represent the values of the state in Washington.
— James W. Byrd, her Democratic opponent
What we couldn’t verify
There is an unresolved contradiction in her public lands position: she told a Cody town hall that disposing of federal land is never discussed under any circumstance, while reporting says she continues to support Sen. Mike Lee's land sale efforts. No source reconciling the two was located, and this is the central contested question in the race.
Securing the border and enforcing the rule of law, while opposing policies that separate families.
Comprehensive immigration legislation through Congress rather than executive action, including modernising the legal visa system for agriculture and hospitality.
Fully funding immigration courts to clear backlogs and ensure fast, fair processing.
Accountability and collaboration in Congress.
Representation that he says reflects Wyoming's actual values.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Wyoming State Representative for Cheyenne's District 44, 2009–2019.
Elected House Minority Whip, 2013–2015, and Minority Caucus Leader, 2015–2017, by his legislative colleagues.
Democratic nominee for Wyoming Secretary of State in 2018.
Fifth-generation Wyomingite with private-sector experience.
Won the August 18 2026 Democratic primary with 79.3% over Billy Benavidez.
Has publicly criticised congressional Democrats as well as Republicans.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of him by name, from anyone opposing him, could be located — national Republicans have not engaged this race and coverage of him is limited to local outlets. Because arguments against him could not be sourced, arguments for him are also left empty so the two columns stay comparable rather than presenting a one-sided case. His platform and record are recorded above instead.
His position on public lands, the defining issue of this race.
His positions on energy, coal and abortion.
The substance of his criticism of congressional Democrats.
His campaign fundraising, and whether any national Democratic committee is supporting him.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Open seat: Republican incumbent Cynthia Lummis is not seeking a second term. Roster established from NBC News, WyoFile, the Washington Post, Wyoming Public Media and Ballotpedia, cross-checked. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman won the August 18 2026 Republican primary with 64.9% over former Kirby mayor Sam Mead (27.8%) and three others. Former state Rep. James W. Byrd won the Democratic primary with 79.3% over Billy Benavidez. No minor-party or independent candidate could be confirmed for the November ballot. Democrats have not won a Senate race in Wyoming since 1970.
Note on balance: no criticism of James Byrd by name, from anyone opposing him, could be located — national Republicans have not engaged this race. Rather than manufacture one, both argument columns are left empty for him and his platform is recorded under what he stands for.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Wyoming ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.