CHEYENNE—The Wyoming Republican Party voted Saturday to censure Gov. Mark Gordon following his vetoes of two bills passed by the Legislature early this year.
The full body at the GOP’s state convention adopted the censure on a consent list, meaning they approved the resolution along with several others and didn’t debate the action. However, one delegate did attempt to pull the resolution from the list. The adoption follows the state GOP resolutions committee’s narrow approval of the censure on Friday.
Wyoming’s far right has been critical of Gordon before. But he further angered many Republicans last month when he rejected a property tax relief measure and legislation that would have done away with many of the state’s gun-free zones.
“The Governor supports everyone’s First Amendment right to have and share their opinions,” a spokesperson for the governor said in a written response to the censure. “Our traditional, conservative Grand Old Party policies are the bedrock of a free and civil society.”
The statement goes on to say, however, that the “traditions, decorum and civility of the party’s actions should be of great concern to all,” claiming such actions as the censure “merely hinder our ability to fight the harmful policies of the Biden Administration and future Democratic administrations that are hostile to Wyoming’s legacy industries, values and people.”
Gordon “stands behind his decision to use [his] Constitutional right to veto flawed legislation,” the statement said.
Growing tensions, veto anger
The censure is the latest outcry from members of the Wyoming GOP against the governor — whom some believe to be too moderate. Converse County GOP Chairman Jim Creaser, who brought the censure to the state convention, went as far as calling Gordon a “Democrat disguised as a Republican.”
The last time the Wyoming GOP tried but failed to censure a governor was in 2014 when former Gov. Matt Mead was in office. (Like Gordon, Mead faced criticism from his right flank.) While censures carry no practical effect, they serve as symbolic reprimands.
Saturday’s vote is another episode demonstrating the divisions within the Wyoming GOP, which has fractured in recent years over the party’s direction and disagreements regarding who and who doesn’t qualify as a Republican.
The resolution, which originated with the Park County GOP, specifically criticized Gordon’s veto of a property tax relief bill and a measure that would have repealed gun-free zones in Wyoming.
The resolution specifically takes aim at Gordon’s veto of Senate File 54 – Homeowner tax exemption, which would have applied a 25% exemption to the first $2 million of a home’s fair market value.
The governor’s spokesperson said in an additional statement Saturday that Gordon’s veto of the legislation “reflects the fact that he was not interested in giving 25% tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, including those who just moved to Wyoming and were part of the very reason that longtime residents saw their assessments increase.”
Gordon described the measure in his veto letter as “a socialistic-type of wealth transfer,” “a Bidenomic-type of ‘tax relief’” and an example of “electioneering exuberance” in the legislative session — language that the resolution said “added insult to injury.”
Property tax relief was a major priority for lawmakers. Several relief bills cleared the Legislature, and Gordon signed four into law.
The governor’s office noted Saturday that Gordon also “supports passage of the proposed Wyoming Constitutional Amendment that will allow Wyoming voters the opportunity to permanently lower property taxes for our homeowners.”
The resolution also criticized Gordon’s veto of House Bill 125 – Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments — which would have nixed most gun-free zones in Wyoming and allowed people with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into most public spaces overseen by the state.
He signed into law this year four other measures that he described as “Second-Amendment friendly” — a point that his office emphasized in its Saturday statement — but argued in his veto letter on HB 125 that the measure “erodes historic local control norms by giving sole authority to the Legislature to micromanage a constitutionally protected right.”
Though he vetoed HB 125, Gordon later directed the State Building Commission — which includes himself, the secretary of state, the state auditor, the state treasurer and the superintendent of public instruction — to reconsider its rules to allow people to bring firearms into “the Capitol and other appropriate state facilities.”
The censure follows the Wyoming GOP’s November vote of no confidence against Gordon in response to a speech he delivered at Harvard University during which he touted his “carbon negative” approach to energy policy.
Increasing attempts
Gordon is the latest but certainly not the only Wyoming elected who has been censured by the Wyoming GOP, which has increased its use of such official reprimands in recent years.
Last year, some county GOPs tried unsuccessfully to censure Wyoming’s Sen. Cynthia Lummis for her vote in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. In 2021, the Wyoming GOP censured former congressional Rep. Liz Cheney and later voted to no longer recognize her as a Republican for her criticism of former president Donald Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Wyoming GOP has also censured several state lawmakers and Republican Party leaders, most recently including Rep. Cyrus Western (R-Big Horn) and Sen. Cale Case (R-Lander).
“The Governor disagrees with this censure — done without debate — which infringes on the Wyoming values and voices that elected him with the largest percentage of votes in the primary and general elections of 2022,” the governor’s spokesperson said in an additional statement Saturday.
Cult VS Caucus
I think we may have a cult and a cult leader in Wyoming. Calling themselves a caucus makes no sense, as a caucus is a meeting. Some characteristics of a Cult leader and a caucus leader: Cult leaders are bullies do not listen and believe they are on a mission to help humanity while setting their own agenda. They are dominate and DEFAME the ones that are not in agreement with them. They are arrogant and persuasive. On the other hand, caucus leaders have a high degree of integrity and self-awareness and are courageous. They are, also, knowledge seekers and respectful of others. They are NOT the agenda setters. This thing called the freedom caucus is nothing more than a cult and an obstruction.
Dale Janota
Box 2908
Gillette WY 82717
307-689-4964
The above was a letter to the editor published In the Gillette News Record on April 9th 2024
Thank you, Governor Gordon, for standing strong against the self-serving and misguided attempts to allow the very wealthy to further exploit Wyoming’s already generous tax laws. Perhaps these legislators can redirect some of their obviously abundant time towards figuring out how to increase State revenues instead of eliminating them.
I applaud Governor Gordon for striving to serve ALL of Wyoming’s citizens and standing up against the right-wing extremists. The Freedom Caucus certainly does not support freedom, just their own selfish agenda.
It should be considered an honor for Governor Gordon to have been censored by the whacko Wyoming Freedom Caucus.
The “Freedom Caucus” isn’t interested in doing the right thing for Wyoming. They are only interested in protecting their own interests instead of thoughtfully considering sane public opinion.
Governor Gordon has done a fine job of carefully considering the pros and cons of the our issues. I give him kudos for vetoing bad legislation for our State.
So let me get this straight: the Governor vetoes pieces of legislation for valid reason that he clearly articulated and so he is censured by his party because they disagree with him. I guess the view is separation of powers and independent judgement are condemnable offenses. How dare the Governor not rubber stamp every hair ball notion that comes out of the Wyoming Legislature?
Thanks once again to the Freedom Caucus for making it clear that you do not understand the basic tenants of good governance or the real needs of Wyoming. It is the Governor’s responsibility to review all legislation passed to make sure it meets both Constitutional and case law muster. Had you done your job properly, it would not have been necessary for him to veto your precious little guns everywhere bill. Let it not be forgotten that the Senate passed a red flag bill that not only had two subjects in the same bill (unconstitutional on it’s face) it also would have allowed those convicted of dealing drugs to possess firearms. Granted, there are residents who need assistance with property tax, but that assistance should be income qualified and based on need. If you have property worth millions of dollars you don’t need help. If you are so enamored of the Beltway legislative model, please go back there and legislate. Hats off to Governor Gordon for doing his constitutionally mandated duty.
Todays Republican party is descending into waging culture wars instead of focusing more on passing common sense legislation and serving all citizens. And now some of us Republicans are trying to eat their own. Being in governmenet is not a play or reality TV show. Democracy is about compromise, finding common ground and yes, sometimes not getting your way. Legislating and governing is the art of compromise. In our system we have the executive branch, the legislataive branch and the judicial branches of governmenet for a reason–to allow for balance and common sense. Wyomingites are lucky to have a thoughtful governor. The recent display of petulance and internal culture wars by our party geets headlines but it really serves nobody well. But this probably happens because the silent majority remains too silent. Maybe it is time for the silent majority to stop sitting back and get more involved in politics? Maybe it is time for more politicians to be work horses and not show horses.
The Governor vetoed the bills because of concerns about the constitutionality of the bills. Yet the Freedom Caucus does not want to talk about that. Instead, they want to argue about loyalty to the party. It is fiscally irresponsible to push forward legislation that will be overturned after costly legal battles. The Governor did the right thing.
A true Wyoming Republican would wear being censured by today’s GOP as a badge of honor. Plus it’s like catching a piece of candy at a parade they throw censures out so often! LOL!
Gordon stands up again!!!! Good on him!!!!
In Washington, Republicans appear to be maturing into adults, and passing bipartisan legislation that benefits the country instead of fighting culture wars. Maybe there will be a ripple effect that reaches the Wyoming GOP? (Sorry — got carried away there for a second.)
The so called, “Freedom Caucus “ is about everything but freedom.
We don’t need guns everywhere, and some folks should never have a gun. 25 percent off of property taxes on a $2 million dollar home? ridiculous. Who are these folks trying to protect? Not you or I.
To Repos, everything is a “socialistic-type of wealth transfer”, except when it goes to welfare ranchers and the energy business. Wyoming would fall into a hole if it wasn’t for the feds. These people support their own, and leave others in the dust.
Here is the thing…at the end of the day we are all people who are grateful to live in a country whose Bill of Rights state that Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are unalienable. The sad thing is that all of that is getting lost in partisan politics. People on the Right Wing say the Left is trampling theirs and vice versa with the Left saying the Right Wing is trampling theirs!
The truth though, is that partisan politics mean that whoever controls the legislation can stack the odds. The odds should NEVER BE STACKED.
A free country means that all of our values matter!!! We pass.laws that allow for Freedom of Speech and Expression without infringement on freedom of others. The lobbyists, super-PACs, Corporations and Religious fanatics are trying to undermine the intent of our founding fathers. To subject those in poverty to stay that way because they were stupid enough to use alcohol, drugs, mental illness and other irresponsible behavior so poverty is their own fault. Well on the floor side, our Country wasn’t founded by Christians. It was founded by Freemasons, constitutionalists, Libertarians, etc. Our Country wasn’t founded by Theocracy and in fact. Our country has had it’s share of evil through Slavery, Jim Crowe laws, the genocide of Native peoples, slavery of Chinese. Etc. This Country has ghosts. But now the ghosts are stained in the blood of his sin and evil!
The GOP has become the party of intolerance and petulance, censuring any member with whom the extremists disagree. Pathetic.
He’s “too moderate?” Does that make him an extremist… an “extreme moderate?”
I am glad he vetoed those bills. Rich people get enough tax cuts as it is. And the gun free zones are to help keep children safe. The right wing radicals need to keep there agenda in the closet were it belongs.
The hallmarks of Governor Gordon’s administration have been his careful consideration, thoughtful deliberation, and consistent and clear communication to the people of Wyoming in his reasoning for pretty much every decision he has had to make during his tenure. These are rare skills in today’s political theater, and they apparently are not the commodities that are highly valued by the governor’s own party (as is demonstrated by this ridiculous censure).
Governor Gordon has led by example, with courage and conviction, and has taken responsibility for his actions. I believe that he has done his best with what we have given him to work with. He has taken good care of the people of Wyoming for two terms, and I for one am thankful to the Captain for having a steady hand at the tiller.
I challenge every person who chose to pass judgment in that convention hall in Cheyenne over the weekend to prove by their actions that they are capable of doing the job any better, or personally apologize to our governor for throwing stones.
I could not agree more. Good job Governor Gordon!
Being censured by the 2024 Wyoming GOP. Does it really matter???
The free dumb caucus and or the WINOs are big whiners when they don’t get their way. They need to GO AWAY.
Governor Gordon is probably laughing at them as I write. When they are led by the sacred writings of Marjorie traitor Green you know something is wrong.
A censure is a worthless waste of time.
They screwed up the legislative session and now they need somebody to blame.
This was a budget session and they could have waited 10 months or so for the regular session. However, they are like little kids in Walmart that don’t get what they want and they throw tantrums.
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
I have lived in Wyoming for 67 years and spent the last 37 years in Cheyenne.
This is by far the worst legislature I have ever seen
The extreme far right are the RINOs. Just remember when Trump said he won with the “poorly educated” what he really said was the stupidest people in America elected him.
The state GOP is a joke.