After hearing dramatic testimony from Harriet Hageman and Liz Cheney, Liz Cheney returns to Wyoming.
In Thursday’s televised debate, Cheney will likely face criticism for his investigation into the attempt of former president to overturn 2020’s election and his support for the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at U.S. Capitol.
Wednesday night at the Reagan Library, she made a bold choice for her fellow Republicans.
“It is clear that Donald Trump’s efforts were more terrifying and threatening than we thought. It is clear: The Republican Party can’t be loyal to Donald Trump while also being loyal to the Constitution.
She lambasted Republicans who supported Trump’s efforts for power retention, despite his election loss.
Cheney stated that “At the moment, we face a domestic threat like we’ve never faced before-a former president who seeks to undermine the foundations our Constitutional Republic,” He is supported by Republican leaders, elected officials, who are willing to be hostages to this dangerously irrational man.”
Although she was one of two Republicans on the House Committee, Cheney faced backlash from deep-red Wyoming Republicans.
Last year, the state Republican Party censured her. They voted to not recognize her as a Republican. Cheney has, if anything, increased her national profile by outraising Hageman by well over 2-to-1 in the first three months 2022.
The Wyoming PBS Sheridan will host Thursday’s debate. Terry Dugas, general manager of the station, stated that the public is not allowed to attend the event for security reasons.
“There are frequent reports in the media about political figures and public officials being attacked. Dugas stated that even in Wyoming, political figures are subject to death threats.
Dugas could not be reached by telephone but declined to discuss security concerns. However, he stated that he made the decision to close down the event to the public and that he did so without any requests from any candidates.
Both Cheney and Hageman have been campaigning in the state. However, Cheney’s most recent appearances as vice-chair of the Jan.6 committee were quasi-campaign events on a national scale.
This debate follows two days after Cassidy Hutchinson (an aide to Trump’s White House) testified before Congress that Trump was told armed protesters were present at a rally that he organized just before the insurrection and that Trump attempted to join the crowd he encouraged for a march on the Capitol.
Cheney will be joined by four challengers at Sheridan College, none more well-known than Hageman, a Cheyenne natural resources and ranching attorney.
The three other candidates are Republican state senator Anthony Bouchard of Cheyenne, retired U.S. Army Colonel Denton Knapp of Gillette, and Robyn Belinskey of Sheridan.
