Former Wyoming State Rep Byrd Announces U.S. Senate Bid

Byrd says current senators don't represent Wyoming values in Washington

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former Wyoming state representative James Byrd announced a bid for one of the state's U.S. Senate seats, becoming the third entrant in the race and the first Democrat to do so. Byrd says the current senators, including Republican John Barrasso, do not represent the values of Wyoming residents in Washington and instead represent the interests of the nation's capital.

Why it matters

Byrd's entry into the race adds a Democratic challenger to the contest to replace retiring Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis. His campaign message that the current senators do not adequately represent Wyoming could resonate with some voters, though the state leans heavily Republican.

The details

Byrd, who served in the Wyoming House from 2009 to 2019, criticized Barrasso and Lummis for votes and positions he says have hurt Wyoming's agriculture, energy, and public lands industries. He pledged to be a senator who would prioritize Wyoming's interests over those of Washington, D.C. Byrd also expressed concerns about the direction of education in the state, criticizing the growth of homeschooling and charter schools.

  • Byrd announced his Senate bid on Tuesday, February 26, 2026.
  • Byrd previously served in the Wyoming House from 2009 to 2019.

The players

James Byrd

A former Democratic state representative from Cheyenne who is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis.

John Barrasso

The current Republican U.S. senator from Wyoming whose voting record and positions Byrd has criticized.

Cynthia Lummis

The retiring Republican U.S. senator from Wyoming whose seat Byrd is seeking to fill.

Harriet Elizabeth Byrd

James Byrd's mother, who previously held the same Wyoming House seat from 1980 to 1988 and was the first Black person to serve in the state legislature.

Harriet Hageman

A Republican candidate who has announced a bid for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Lummis.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Wyoming people need some representation in D.C. They're not getting it. The people that are there are representing D.C., and not Wyoming.”

— James Byrd, Former Wyoming State Representative (Sundance Times)

“How could you call yourself 'supporting Wyoming agriculture' when you're for getting rid of public lands, when you support the tariffs that caused the Chinese to stop buying grain and beef from the United States and they went to Argentina, and then further slapped the ag business in the face by going and making a deal to buy beef from Argentina? How the hell can that be America first?”

— James Byrd, Former Wyoming State Representative (Sundance Times)

What’s next

The race for the open U.S. Senate seat in Wyoming will likely be a closely watched contest, with Byrd's Democratic campaign challenging the Republican dominance in the state.

The takeaway

Byrd's campaign message that the current senators do not adequately represent Wyoming's interests could resonate with some voters, though the state's Republican lean means he faces an uphill battle. The race will offer a test of whether a Democrat can make inroads in solidly Republican Wyoming.