Politics and Government Reporter

Leo Wolfson

Leo Wolfson is the State Government and Politics Reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering Wyoming politics on a federal and statewide level.

Leo led Cowboy State Daily's coverage of the 2022 Wyoming primary election, including the highly contentious race between former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her successor U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. He also managed CSD's coverage of the 2023 State Legislature, which was by far the most extensive and timely media coverage of a legislative session in the state's history.

Before joining Cowboy State Daily, Leo was a general assignment reporter for the Cody Enterprise Newspaper in Cody from 2018-2022. Prior to that, he reported for a suburban newspaper outside Denver.

Find Leo Wolfson

Latest from Leo Wolfson

A photo taken from U.S. Capitol Police body cam video shows a man, identified by the FBI as Douglas Harrington of Wyoming, assaulting an officer with a flagpole.

Wyoming Man Who Went After Police With Flagpole During Jan. 6 Riot Convicted

Douglas Harrington of Bedford, Wyoming, was convicted Wednesday for his role during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. He was found guilty of multiple charges, including assaulting law enforcement with a flagpole.

Leo WolfsonJuly 31, 2024

Thermopolis resident Cheryl Aguiar inspects some of the 44,650 signatures her group collected and turned in to the Secretary of State's Office in May.

Petition To Slash Property Taxes 50% Falls 1,000 Valid Signatures Short

A Wyoming ballot initiative to slash property taxes 50% is about 1,000 valid signatures short to get on the 2026 ballot. The group has until April 2025 to make up the deficit.

Leo WolfsonJuly 31, 2024

Douglas Smith, 68, was arrested June 25, 2024, in California on suspicion of first-degree murder for the killing of two men during a 2015 robbery of The Coin Shop in Cheyenne. He was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder July 18, 2025.

Brief: Man Accused Of Killing 2 at Cheyenne Coin Shop Pleads Not Guilty

The man arrested nine years after two people were gunned down during a robbery at a Cheyenne coin shop has pleaded not guilty. Douglas Smith, who faces two first-degree murder charges, made his plea Monday.

Leo WolfsonJuly 31, 2024

This office building used by Registered Agents Inc. in Sheridan is the official address for about 120,000 LLCs registered in Wyoming, Fremont County Assessor Tara Berg estimates.

Are Wyoming’s Secretive LLC Laws Making State A “Haven For Scammers?”

Concerned Wyoming’s secretive LLC laws are making the state a “haven for scammers,” legislators are looking to close loopholes. In Sheridan, one office is the official address for about 120,000 businesses registered in Wyoming.

Leo WolfsonJuly 31, 2024

Wyoming Senate District 6 candidate Darin Smith, left, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Trump Endorses Darin Smith For Wyoming Legislature

Former President Donald Trump has made his first campaign endorsement for a race in the Wyoming Legislature. Trump announced over the weekend his support for Cheyenne Senate candidate Darin Smith.

Leo WolfsonJuly 30, 2024

Gov. Mark Gordon greets members of the Wyoming Legislature before their 2024 session convened.

Gordon’s PAC Hits High Gear With Endorsements, Money For Freedom Caucus Opponents

Gov. Mark Gordon’s political action committee is targeting what it calls a flood of campaign “half-truths and outright lies.” He also has endorsed some state legislative candidates, but none from the Freedom Caucus.

Leo WolfsonJuly 30, 2024

Former Wyoming college wrestlers Kendell Cummings, from left, Orrin Jackson, August Harrison and Brady Lowry got a free trip to Alaska to film a documentary on the 2022 grizzly attack they survived.

Wyoming Wrestlers Who Fought Grizzly Featured In New Documentary

A group of wrestlers from northwest Wyoming who successfully fought off an angry grizzly bear in 2022 were in Alaska this summer to face bears — and their fears — again. They’re part of a documentary about their story, which could start streaming in 2025.

Leo WolfsonJuly 29, 2024

Former state legislator and World War II veteran Gus Fleischli has died. He was 98.

Former Wyoming Legislator, World War II Veteran Gus Fleischli Dies At 98

Former state legislator, gubernatorial candidate, oil executive, and University of Wyoming super fan Gus Fleischli died Monday at age 98. Gov. Mark Gordon has ordered the Wyoming state flag be lowered in Fleischli's honor.

Leo WolfsonJuly 27, 2024

Senate President Ogden Driskill, left, and state Sen. Brian Boner.

Sen. Brian Boner Slams Senate President, Other Senators For Endorsements

Sen. Brian Boner says Ogden Driskill's endorsement of a candidate in a campaign mailer is "belligerent, given the responsibilities of the office he will occupy for a few more months."

Leo WolfsonJuly 27, 2024

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, remains the most popular U.S. senator for the fifth straight quarter, according to Morning Consult.

Poll: Barrasso Remains America’s Most Popular U.S. Senator

A Morning Consult poll released this week indicates John Barrasso remains America’s most popular U.S. senator for the fifth straight quarter with a 71% approval rating. A national pollster says Barrasso's seat is very safe.

Leo WolfsonJuly 26, 2024

Wyoming state Reps. Cody Wylie, left, and J.T. Larson, both Rock Springs Republicans, are suing over election mailers they claim are deliberately false and misleading.

Rock Springs Legislators Sue Over Mailers That Claim They Want Trump Off Ballot

Two Rock Springs Republican legislators are suing over Wyoming Freedom Caucus election mailers that claim they want Trump off ballots. Cody Wylie and J.T. Larson say the claims are deliberately false and meant to mislead.

Leo WolfsonJuly 26, 2024

Liz Cheney’s Super PAC Supports Fundraising Platform For Democratic Candidates

Former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney’s super political action committee is paying into a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Democratic candidates. Her group says keeping Trump from the Oval Office again is “the cause of our time.”

Leo WolfsonJuly 25, 2024

Other Authors

Hageman Says If Biden’s ‘Too Feeble’ To Run, He’s ‘Too Feeble To Be President’

Following President Biden's address on Wednesday evening, Wyoming’s congressional delegation questioned whether he should remain in office. Rep. Harriet Hageman said if the president is “too feeble to be a candidate, he’s too feeble to be president.”

Leo WolfsonJuly 25, 2024

Wyoming Democrats Angry That Rep. Hageman Called Kamala Harris A ‘DEI Hire’

Although Wyoming Democrats are mad because Rep. Hageman called Kamala Harris a 'DEI hire,' Hageman said, “If you don’t want people to say she was hired only because she’s a black woman, then maybe Biden shouldn’t have said he was only gonna hire a black woman.”

Leo WolfsonJuly 25, 2024

Tempers Flare Between House Candidate And County Sheriff At Buffalo Candidate Forum

A candidate forum got heated in Buffalo on Tuesday night when Johnson County Sheriff Rod Odenbach said gun lobbyist and House candidate Mark Jones' support of two gun bills which became law makes it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs.

Leo WolfsonJuly 24, 2024

Trump Coming To Jackson, Wyoming For Fundraiser On Aug. 10

Former President Donald Trump will be coming to Jackson on Aug. 10 to speak at a private fundraising event for his campaign. The price of admission is $5,000. To attend the reception and get a photo will cost $35,000.

Leo WolfsonJuly 24, 2024

More than 100 people showed up for the daytime town hall.

Gordon Concerned About Misinformation Campaigns Targeting Wyoming Primary Races

At a Tuesday town hall in Sheridan, Gov. Mark Gordon said he’s concerned about out-of-state misinformation campaigns designed to sway Wyoming’s primary election. He also promoted the state’s efforts to bolster its economy.

Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024

Secret Service Director Abruptly Quits, But Wyoming Delegation Still Want Answers

Wyoming’s congressional delegation is pleased with Tuesday’s abrupt resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. But they still want answers about the agency’s failings during the assassination attempt on Trump.

Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024

Wyoming Attorney Who Fought COVID Mandates Disbarred For Abandoning Clients

Nick Beduhn, a Buffalo attorney who represented clients in a number of cases opposing COVID-19 mandates, has been disbarred by the Wyoming State Bar. The disbarment comes after an indefinite suspension in November 2022.

Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle during an hourslong House Committee on Oversight and Accountability meeting Monday, July 22, 2024.

Wyoming Delegation Ads To List Demanding Secret Service Director Resign

Wyoming's delegation is among a growing contingent in Congress demanding Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle quit. Cheatle was grilled by a House committee Monday about her agency’s miscues before and during the assassination attempt on Trump.

Leo WolfsonJuly 23, 2024

Now What? Wyoming Dems To Meet About What To Do Now That Biden Is Out

After Sunday’s bombshell that President Joe Biden is halting his 2024 reelection campaign, the Wyoming Democratic Party is regrouping. Its 17 delegates for the party’s national convention are expected to meet Monday to discuss what they’ll do now.

Leo WolfsonJuly 22, 2024

Page 28