OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney is facing a tough midterm election where she is going to face an opponent from her right and she is not doing herself any favors.
The representative who some people call a RINO, or Republican In Name Only, sent a Christmas newsletter to her constituents and what she said gives insight into how she is attempting to portray herself.
“Friends, As Christmas approaches, I want to wish everybody a safe and happy holiday season. I hope you are able to enjoy time with friends and family,” she said.
“Last week, I co-sponsored H.R. 6187, the “Coal Council Certainty Act of 2021.” The legislation would codify the National Coal Council’s charter that the Department of Energy let lapse last month.
“I am proud to join Rep. McKinley in introducing this important legislation to codify the National Coal Council’s charter and ensure that it continues to advocate for the affordable and reliable energy – as well as the jobs – that the coal industry provides. The Biden Administration’s decision to allow the National Coal Council charter to lapse so they can overhaul it in their radical design is yet another attack against coal. This bill will protect the NCC and allow the Council to serve its purpose on behalf of coal producers and energy consumers in Wyoming and across the country,” the representative said.
She then went on to talk about the energy policies of the administration in the White House.
“The Administration’s reckless policies jeopardize our energy independence, while hurting Wyoming and other energy producing states,” she said.
“I sat down with KGWN to talk about the PILLR Act — legislation that I’ve recently introduced to ensure states are compensated revenue lost,” she said.
Defense was another topic she talked about.
“Additionally, I enjoyed speaking with KGWN about the importance of providing for the security for our nation and defending against our adversaries,” the representative said.
“I have a number of amendments included in the NDAA to ensure that we take crucial steps to modernize our nuclear deterrence at F.E. Warren,” she said.
The representative then talked about agriculture, a major industry in Wyoming.
“Since 1872, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association has been a voice for our state’s livestock producers.
“Great to join the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and Wyoming Wool Growers for their annual Winter Roundup to give an update on the work we’re doing in Congress to address the issues facing our agriculture community,” she said.
But what Cheney did not talk about in her newsletter was her involvement in the House January 6 Select Committee.
And she has a valid reason for not wanting to talk about it as her poll numbers are taking a whooping.
According to the Washington Examiner, Cheney is 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.
“The only 2022 Wyoming House Race Polls that have been carried out were carried out before Trump endorsed Harriet Hageman so they are not in sync with present conditions, but they do give us a glimpse into the amount of disillusionment Wyoming Republicans have with Liz Cheney for her vote to impeach Trump. Cheney does not cross 23% in any poll, which already spells trouble for an incumbent with statewide name recognition,” Crowds Wisdom reported.
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.
