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.
Latest from Leo Wolfson
Douglas Sheep Rancher Frank Moore To Run Against Frank Eathorne To Lead State Republican Party
Stressing a message of unity, former legislator and longtime sheep rancher Frank Moore told Cowboy State Daily he is running for chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party because he wants to bring “the party back together.”
Leo WolfsonApril 19, 2023
Gillette State Rep. Says Wyoming Needs More, Not Fewer, Partisan Political Races
If elected officials deal with budgets, Rep. Chris Knapp, R-Gillette, says political affiliation matters. He wants to push to make city council and school board races partisan in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonApril 19, 2023
Gordon Calls Out Wyoming Lawmakers Who Won't Fund 988 Suicide Call Centers
During his Governor’s Mental Health Summit on Tuesday, Gov. Mark Gordon targeted state lawmakers who stand in the way of supporting mental health programs, saying the argument that government shouldn’t be involved is “full of beans," especially as Wyoming leads nation in suicides per capita.
Leo WolfsonApril 18, 2023
Wyoming Democratic Party Chair “Proud To Be Woke,” Blasts Governor, Freedom Caucus For “Fawning” Over Trump
Joe Barbuto, chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party, says he’s woke and proud of it during a state party event Saturday in Cheyenne. He also blasted Gov. Mark Gordon and members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.
Leo WolfsonApril 17, 2023
Gray Vows To Continue Elections Reform, Blasts “Colluding” Media And “Liar” Former Secretary Of State
Secretary of State Chuck Gray told Wyoming conservatives during a Wyoming Freedom Caucus meeting Saturday that he plans to make voter residency his next priority in the upcoming interim session. He also blasted “colluding” media and that “that liar” former Secretary of State Max Maxfield for campaign funding challenge.
Leo WolfsonApril 17, 2023
Second Amendment Scholar Challenges Gun Control Narrative, Says It Increases Racial Bias In Criminal Justice
An African American Second Amendment scholar from New York is bringing a perspective challenging many of the mainstream narratives that firearms increase crime in America. The professor spoke at UW last week and said gun control laws exacerbate racial bias in the criminal justice system.
Leo WolfsonApril 16, 2023
"We Need 10 More": Freedom Caucus Pushes For More Members At Town Hall, Looks Ahead To 2024
At a town hall on Saturday, the Freedom Caucus said they needed 10 more members to control the House. Members said with 10 more members they could have a consistent voting bloc to get their legislation passed.
Leo WolfsonApril 16, 2023
Statues Of Esther Hobart Morris, Chief Washakie To Stay Put Inside Capitol
Despite calls from some to move large statues honoring Esther Hobart Morris and Chief Washakie back outside the Wyoming Capitol building in Cheyenne, the bronze figures will stay indoors for the foreseeable future.
Leo WolfsonApril 15, 2023
Barrasso Said To Be Lobbying For McConnell’s Leadership Seat
Speculation in Washington is that U.S. Sen. John Barrasso is lobbying hard to become Senate Minority Leader If beleaguered Mitch McConnell steps down.
Leo WolfsonApril 14, 2023
Cheney Blasts Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Criticism Of Biden Intervention In Ukraine War
Former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney may have been soundly defeated last November but that hasn't stopped her criticism of former colleague Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. On Thursday, Cheney said Taylor Greene should be denied access to any information on national security.Â
Leo WolfsonApril 14, 2023
In Hot Springs County, Republicans and Democrats All Can Get Along
In what’s now a rare display of unity between Republicans and Democrats in Wyoming, Hot Springs County Republicans and Democrats are going out of their way to understand, if not agree with, each other.
Leo WolfsonApril 14, 2023
Anthony Bouchard Explains Why He Supports Karlee Provenza
State Sen. Anthony Bouchard says all elected officials should be able to post whatever they want on social media without repercussions because that’s a simple avenue of free speech.
Leo WolfsonApril 13, 2023
Provenza Says She’s Sorry For Antifa Post That She Says Sparked 5 Death Threats
In an interview with Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday evening, state Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, said she didn’t expect the firestorm that came after sharing a controversial social media post, including five death threats. “I think it would be best for everyone if we moved on,” she said.
Leo WolfsonApril 13, 2023
No Punishment For Karlee Provenza Over Controversial Antifa Meme
Despite significant outcry from some Wyoming Republicans, Democrat Rep. Karlee Provenza will not face any official punishment for a controversial meme she shared earlier this month of an Antifa meme in protest of transgender treatment and policies.
Leo WolfsonApril 13, 2023
How Former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan Played Key Role In Good Friday Peace Accord
Former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan was ambassador to Ireland from 1998-2002 and played a key role in brokering one of the most important peace agreements of the 20th century.
Leo WolfsonApril 12, 2023
Wyoming House Leaders Mum About Meeting With Provenza But Bouchard Comes To Her Defense
Although Wyoming House leaders wouldn't reveal much about a meeting they had with Rep. Provenza about her controversial Antifa post, state Sen. Anthony Bouchard came to her defense stating that "I want people to have free speech."
Leo WolfsonApril 12, 2023
Wyoming's Legislature Banned Crossover Voting, Thermopolis Woman Wants Voters To Ban It Too
Thermopolis resident Cheryl Aguiar isn’t backing off her fight against crossover voting even though the Wyoming Legislature passed a bill in its recent session greatly curtailing the practice in the Cowboy State.
Leo WolfsonApril 11, 2023
Wyoming House Leadership To Meet With Provenza Tuesday About Antifa Post
Wyoming House leaders will meet with Rep. Karlee Provenza on Tuesday to discuss a meme she posted which garnered national attention showing a woman with a rifle promising to protect "trans folks from fascists and bigots" shortly after a mass shooting in Tennessee.
Leo WolfsonApril 11, 2023
Controversial Northern Wyoming Land Swap Needs New Appraisal, Says State Official
A leading state official says a new appraisal is needed in a contentious proposed public lands swap in Sheridan County that last was appraised before the COVID-19 pandemic and spike in Wyoming property values.
Leo WolfsonApril 10, 2023
Hageman Joins New Anti-Woke Caucus To Fight “Bizarre And Dangerous” Ideologies
Wyoming’s freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman is making fighting “the woke agenda” one of her top priorities in Washington, D.C. She has joined newly formed caucus that shares the same goal.
Leo WolfsonApril 10, 2023
Wyoming History: Recent Tennessee Upheaval Pales In Comparison To 1913 Wyoming Legislative Brawl
The Tennessee Legislature recently caught national attention when it expelled two of its members after they interrupted debate by leading a protest in the legislative chamber. Members of the 12th Wyoming Legislature might call that child’s play.Â
Leo WolfsonApril 09, 2023