OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
It’s not likely she will ever admit it, but it appears as though Rep. Liz Cheney’s biggest political mistake was taking on former President Donald 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.
Now, it seems, she is about to pay the price for all of that: According to the Washington Examiner, Cheney is under water big time versus a GOP primary challenger backed by the former president:
Embattled Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who’s 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.
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.
The site also noted that, as a “final step before officially announcing her campaign later this week, Hageman resigned Tuesday as one of Wyoming’s members of the Republican National Committee.”
“While I have thoroughly enjoyed my work as National Committeewoman, I will not be able to continue in that role at this time and am hereby submitting my resignation to be effective immediately,” she said.
“I have every intention of staying active in the Republican Party and in Republican politics, but will be doing so through different means,” Hageman noted in her resignation letter, adding that the committee had punished Cheney for her vote against Trump.
“By censuring Rep. Liz Cheney we sent the strong message that we expect our elected officials to respect the views and values of the people who elected them. Accountability is key and I am proud of our party for demanding it,” she said.
