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
Cheyenne City Council Blunt In Rejection Of Decriminalizing Marijuana By 6-3 Vote
The Cheyenne City Council voted down a proposal Monday to decriminalize marijuana in city limits. Councilman Richard Johnson said his primary motivation was to save the city money on superfluous fines and attorney fees.Â
Leo WolfsonMarch 28, 2023
Hageman Grills âFree Expressionâ Advocate About Allowing First-Graders Access to Pornography
Although a "free expression" advocate repeatedly refused to answer Rep. Hageman's question if Penthouse magazine was suitable for first-graders, Nadine Farid Johnson finally answered and said the pornographic magazine should not be accessible to children.
Leo WolfsonMarch 28, 2023
Sponsor Of Wyomingâs First-In-The-Nation Chemical Abortion Ban Unfazed By Outside Opinion
State Sen. Tim Salazar, R-Riverton, says he doesn't care what other states or countries think about his bill which became the first in the country to ban chemical abortion pills. They aren't in touch with our values, he said.
Leo WolfsonMarch 27, 2023
Let The Bills Do The Talking: Gordon Says Heâs Not Swayed By National Spotlight In Wake Of Not Signing Legislation
Although some have complained about Mark Gordon's non-confrontational style, the governor says he's not swayed by state or national criticism. He says his record is enough.
Leo WolfsonMarch 25, 2023
Hageman Vows To Fight Weaponization Of FBI, DOJ And Collusion With Tech Companies
Wyoming U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman told Cowboy State Daily on Friday that she is appalled by what she sees as the federal government suppressing free speech and surveillance on citizens and will do "everything in her power" to stop it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 24, 2023
Lummis Praises Legislature For Passing Transgender Sports & Abortion Bills
On a conference call with reporters, U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis on Thursday said she agreed with the Wyoming Legislature for passing the transgender sports bill and the 'Life is a Human Right Act'.
Leo WolfsonMarch 24, 2023
Wyoming Legislature: Joint Management Council Identifies Interim Topics For Off-Session
The Joint Management Council on Thursday identified topics legislative committees will be focused on before the next session. Combatting ESG or "woke capitalism" will be a main focus.
Leo WolfsonMarch 24, 2023
Wyoming Woman Says She Set Fire To Casper Abortion Clinic To Quiet Her Nightmares
Lorna Green, who made her first appearance in federal court on Thursday morning, told investigators she set fire to a planned abortion clinic in Casper last year because she was having nightmares about it
Leo WolfsonMarch 23, 2023
Cheyenne City Council First In Wyoming To Consider â And Vote Down â Pot Decriminalization
The Cheyenne City Council considered marijuana decriminalization Wednesday night, but despite a strong public turnout in support of the measure, the council voted 5-2 against it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 23, 2023
Vice President Kamala Harris Bashes Gordon Over Wyomingâs New Abortion Laws
Vice President Kamala Harris bashed Gov. Mark Gordon and state lawmakers after Wyoming became the first state to ban the chemical abortion bill.
Leo WolfsonMarch 23, 2023
Five State Officials In Line To Lead WYDOT After Previous Director Abruptly Retires
In the wake of former Wyoming Department of Transportation Director Luke Reinerâs abrupt retirement, the governor will choose from five state employees to replace him.
Leo WolfsonMarch 22, 2023
Benched During Session, Sen. Dan Laursenâs âUnbelievablyâ Good Behavior Gets Him Back On Committees
Powell Sen. Dan Laursen is out of Senate President Ogden Driskill's doghouse and has been rewarded for good behavior by being placed on a committee. He was the only legislator, out of 93, not to be assigned to a standing committee last session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 22, 2023
Sheridan County GOP, Fed Up With Legislatureâs Inaction, Asks Schools To Ban Teaching Of Sexual Topics To Children
Sheridan County Republican Party committeeman Tod Windsor said the local party was "fed up" with the state Legislature for not passing a law prohibiting teachers from teaching sexual topics to third graders and younger, so they are asking the local school districts to put up their own ban.
Leo WolfsonMarch 22, 2023
Hageman Calls Potential Trump Indictment âPersecutionâ And âWoke Politicizationâ
Now that former President Trump could be on the brink of being indicted, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman says the efforts of a New York City district attorney investigating him are nothing more than a witch hunt.
Leo WolfsonMarch 21, 2023
Sheridan GOP Censures Rep. Cyrus Western, Call For Resignation: He Says They Wonât Get It
Cyrus Western, R-Big Horn, was censured Saturday by the Sheridan County Republican Party for his alleged role in a political mailer that targeted local people and labeled them as âWanted ⌠for trying to tear our state apart.â The party also called for Western to resign; he says he wonât.
Leo WolfsonMarch 21, 2023
Halverson Ousted As Wyoming County GOP Elections Move Toward âTraditional Republicanâ Leadership
Lincoln County politico Marti Halverson was ousted as chair of the county party over the weekend in favor of a more moderate Republican. She was one of many hardline conservatives who lost to more moderates across the state.
Leo WolfsonMarch 20, 2023
Gordonâs Refusal To Sign Certain Bills A Political Statement, Lawmakers Say
Some legislators were critical of Gov Gordon for taking the maximum amount of time legally and then letting bills become law without his signature like the transgender sports bill and an abortion bill, while others say weren't bothered by Gordon's lack of support.
Leo WolfsonMarch 19, 2023
Legislating By Template Draws Criticism, But Former Lawmakers Say Thatâs Nothing New
Although Gov Mark Gordon and House Speaker Albert Sommers condemned bills that were influenced by outside sources, longtime former legislators told Cowboy State Daily that using or adapting legislation that has been successful in other states is nothing new.
Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2023
Harriet Hageman Clocks In For A Shift At Sheridan Home Depot
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman got to upgrade her political toolbox to tackle issues facing local Wyoming industry this week with a tour of northern Wyoming businesses, including putting on an apron to cover a âshiftâ at the Sheridan Home Depot.
Leo WolfsonMarch 17, 2023
Wyoming Snubbed â Again â For Wildfire Protection, Delegation Blasts Biden
Wyoming was the only Western state left out of the U.S. Department of Agricultureâs 10-year investment plan for mitigating wildfires.
Leo WolfsonMarch 17, 2023
Gordon Vetoes Cheney-Inspired Absentee Ballot Bill; Sec Of State Chuck Gray Disappointed
Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a Chuck Gray-supported election security bill on Friday that would have banned members of the public from mailing absentee ballot request forms to voters. This was a practice used by former congresswoman Liz Cheney during her 2020 campaign.
Leo WolfsonMarch 17, 2023