OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney has announced that she will run for re-election.
In a video released on social media, the anti-Trump lawmaker awkwardly responds to questions about whether she would bow out of the race as former President Donald Trump has endorsed her primary opponent.
“If we set aside our founding principles for the politics of the moment, the miracle of our constitutional republic will slip away,” Cheney says in the video. “We must not let that happen.”
“In Wyoming, we know what it means to ride for the brand. We live in the greatest nation God has ever created, and our brand is the U.S. Constitution,” she tweeted. “I’m running for re-election and asking for your vote because this is a fight we must win.”
WATCH:
Her announcement comes two days before Trump will hold a rally in support of Harriet Hageman, an attorney from Wyoming.
“This Save America rally is a continuation of President Trump’s unprecedented effort to advance the MAGA agenda by energizing voters and highlighting America First candidates and cause,” a press release about the event says.
It’s not likely she will ever admit it, but it appears as though Cheney’s biggest political mistake was taking on Trump.
The Wyoming Republican incurred Trump’s wrath earlier this year when she 1) blamed him for the Jan. 6 Capitol Building riot; 2) publicly condemned him for it; 3) voted to impeach him over it; and then 4) took on the vice-chair role on a very partisan, Democrat-controlled committee selected by Nancy Pelosi to ‘investigate the origins’ of the riot.
Cheney is about to pay the price for all of that after a new poll found that she’s underwater big time versus a GOP primary challenger backed by the former president:
Embattled Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, whose reelection campaign is under fire from former President Donald Trump, widely trails her top challenger in a new 2022 survey.
In the SoCo Strategies poll conducted to gauge the impact of Trump endorsements, Cheney is 18-points behind Trump-backed Harriet Hageman.
The new survey of Republican voters found that Hageman, a GOP activist, and Cheyenne land and water rights attorney, leads Cheney, 38%-18%. State Representative Anthony Bouchard is at 12% and 26% are undecided.
The independent survey — not done for Cheney or Hageman — was included in a handful of other state results showing that a Trump endorsement can be a game-changer.
BREAKING: Nancy Pelosi's favorite RINO Liz Cheney just filed to run for reelection in Wyoming.
DONATE below to Trump-endorsed @HagemanforWY to defeat Cheney!https://t.co/RBZjklvOn8
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 26, 2022
NEW: A @club4growth poll of #WYAL shows Rep Liz Cheney (R) down 30 points to the Trump-backed Harriet Hageman (R) in the Aug 16 primary
Hageman – 56%
Cheney – 26%
Bouchard – 12%
Undecided – 6%WPAi poll of 400 LVs on May 24-25. Club is backing Hagemanhttps://t.co/SMWJLvJqrm
— Ally Mutnick (@allymutnick) May 27, 2022
In a September statement, Trump said he is backing Wyoming attorney Hageman, whom he said “is running against warmonger and disloyal Republican” Cheney.
“Harriet is a fourth-generation daughter of Wyoming, a very successful attorney, and has the support and respect of a truly great U.S. Senator, Wyoming’s own Cynthia Lummis,” Trump continued.
“Harriet Hageman adores the Great State of Wyoming, is strong on Crime and Borders, powerfully supports the Second Amendment, loves our Military and our Vets, and will fight for Election Integrity and Energy Independence (which [President Joe] Biden has already given up),” he added.
“Unlike RINO Liz Cheney, Harriet is all in for America First. Harriet has my Complete and Total Endorsement in replacing the Democrats’ number one provider of sound bites, Liz Cheney. Make America Great Again!” the former president concluded.
Trump has not made any effort to hide his contempt for Cheney.
In noting Trump’s endorsement of Hageman, Politico reported it will be a test of his ability to put candidates he backs across the finish line.
“Trump’s looming involvement in the primary will test his political power in the GOP like never before, as he seeks to punish the most high-profile House Republican to vote for his impeachment in January,” said the outlet.
“His allies and team not only encouraged Hageman to run against Cheney — they now are under pressure to clear the crowded primary field of other candidates who could split anti-Cheney sentiment, which would give the incumbent the chance to win her primary with only a plurality,” Politico added.
