Democrats pick their fighter for uphill bid to flip deep-red Senate seat
James Byrd defeated Billy Benavidez in Wyoming's Democratic primary for the open Senate seat after Cynthia Lummis announced she won't seek reelection.
TL;DR
- James Byrd won the Democratic primary for Wyoming's open Senate seat.
- He defeated former golf club greenskeeper Billy Benavidez.
- The seat became open after incumbent Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis decided not to seek re-election.
- Byrd, a former state representative, previously worked as an exploration geophysicist and IT project manager.
- He advocated for a Wyoming-first campaign, focusing on public lands, energy jobs, and rural healthcare.
- Benavidez ran on a more libertarian platform, emphasizing individual liberty and limited government.
- Byrd has criticized Trump's tariffs for hurting Wyoming's agricultural products.
- On immigration, Byrd supports border security and opposes family separation, while backing reform.
- He also supports expanding data centers to diversify Wyoming's economy.