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
Who Are The Guys That Read Out The Bills During The Legislative Session?
There are two voices likely heard more than any other in the Wyoming Legislature, yet their names are rarely uttered on the two chamber floors. The two reading clerks announce the title and number of each bill assigned in the House and the Senate.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2023
Only 21, 26, And 27-Years-Old But Theyâre Serving In The Wyoming Legislature
The son of an immigrant, when freshman Rep. Daniel Singh informed his grandfather he had been elected to the Wyoming State House, his grandfather called him and said this is the best gift I couldve received in my entire life.
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2023
Lloyd Christmas Would Be Proud: Freshman Legislator Starts Cringeworthy âFlashy Fridayâ Tradition
One outfit in particular looked like Lloyd Christmas' from the movie 'Dumb and Dumber.' But no one was filming a sequel in the Wyoming State Capitol, it was just something a freshman legislator called "Flashy Friday."
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2023
Gov. Gordon Criticizes Out-Of-State Influences; Rep. Bear Calls Gordon âArrogantâ For Criticism
In remarks to the Legislature on Friday, Gov Gordon criticized legislation that was modeled on bills already passed in other states. Rep. John Bear said Gordon's remarks were "arrogant" and an excuse for "more conservative bills not passing."
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2023
Gordon âScoldsâ Two Senators For Getting Appointee Voted Down But Victorious In The End
Things got testy after two Park County senators were successful in getting one of Gov Gordon's appointees shot down. But after a successful campaigning effort, Gordon's appointee got voted back in, much to the displeasure of the senators.
Leo WolfsonMarch 03, 2023
Gordon Allows Crossover Voting Bill To Pass Into Law Without Signature; Big Win For Chuck Gray
Although Gov Mark Gordon didn't sign the crossover voting bill on Thursday, he didn't veto it either. So it went into law without his signature. Stopping crossover voting was one of Chuck Gray's top priorities.
Leo WolfsonMarch 03, 2023
Hagemanâs Comments To State Legislative Members âUnheard Ofâ In History Of Body
When U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman criticized members of the Legislature earlier this week, she did something that the congressional delegation never does -- get involved in their business. Former Sen. Al Simpson called it "embarrassing." Other former members said it was bad form.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Cheney To Become College Professor In Virginia; No Word On Possible 2024 Presidential Run
Former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney has accepted a job at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics where she will serve as a professor.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Wyoming Wonât Stop Employers From Requiring Staff To Receive Microchips
The Wyoming State House defeated a bill on Wednesday morning that would have prohibited employers from requiring their staff to implant microchips in their bodies.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Senate Passes Postpartum Medicaid Extension, Bill Headed To Governorâs DeskÂ
A bill that would provide around six times more postpartum Medicaid coverage to new mothers in Wyoming was approved in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon by a razor thin 16-14 vote. It now heads to the governor's office to be signed into law.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Senate President Driskill Gives Anthony Bouchard Last Warning For Ethics ComplaintsÂ
Senate President Ogden Driskill warned Cheyenne Republican Senator Anthony Bouchard in a letter Wednesday that he could face serious penalties, including expulsion from the Senate, if future ethics complaints against him are substantiated.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Strike 2! Bouchard Gets Hit With Ethics Complaint Over âDoctors For Groomingâ Comment & More
A lobbyist filed an ethics complaint over comments Sen. Anthony Bouchard made on his Facebook page. One of his comments said members of the Wyoming Medical Society should call themselves "Doctors For Grooming" for their support of allowing children to undergo gender change surgeries and treatments.
Leo WolfsonMarch 01, 2023
Convention Of The States Bill Killed In Monday Night Massacre; Fear Of Losing 2nd Amendment Rights Cited
Many conservative legislators abandoned state Sen. Dan Laursens, Convention of States bill on Monday. Many opponents said they feared a runaway convention that ends up stripping away Second Amendment rights. Â
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023
Mortuary Of Dead Bills Leads To Pointing Of Fingers At Wyoming State Legislature
It was a bloodbath for bills on Monday night as the Wyoming Legislature killed nearly a dozen bills. And legislators are blaming each other for the fatalities.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023
Harriet Hageman Calls Out Another State Legislator; Second Time In Three Days
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman made state Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, her target on Monday after he called her out for criticizing Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023
Wyoming LGBTQ Advocacy Group Holds Protest In Opposition To Transgender Sports Bill
Opponents of a bill that would ban biological males from competing in girls public-school sports said they accept that their battle may be a losing one as the bill continues to steamroll forward.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023
Ethics Complaint Filed Against Sen. Anthony Bouchard After He Calls Person âF**king Idiotâ
A Green River woman filed a complaint with the Legislative Management Council Sunday after she said Cheyenne state Sen. Anthony Bouchard cursed at her over a dispute on his "Chloe's Law" bill in a private text message on Saturday night.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2023
âShame On You!â Legislator Says Technique To Substitute Bill Thwarted Will Of People
State Sen. Bo Biteman lashed out at the House Appropriations Committee for substituting a bill rather than offering amendments. Just vote it up or vote it down but to do this after hearing all the testimony and pull this on a fellow legislator, its not OK and its not how we do business around here.Â
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2023
Hageman Nudges Sommers To Quit Sitting On Bills: âThis Is About Protecting Our Childrenâ
Congresswoman Harriet Hageman on Saturday urged Speaker of the House Albert Sommers to take action on bills addressing gender identity, gender surgeries, and school vouchers. "This is about protecting our children. In Congress, Im fighting for these very issues. I hope the Wyoming legislature will do the same," she said.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2023
End To Crossover Voting Bill Close To Hitting Gordonâs Desk, But Will He Sign It?
A bill that will restrict voters from changing party affiliation to influence the results of other parties primary elections has reached its farthest point in the Wyoming Legislature. But Gov. Mark Gordon has so far been noncommittal on whether hed sign, veto or let it pass unsigned.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2023
Another Attempt To Override Wyoming House Speaker Defeated
Staunch conservatives have been trying every trick in the book to get past Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers, who is blocking some bills from being heard or assigned to a committee. None have worked so far.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 24, 2023