307 Votes
PACs and Lobbyists

PACs and Lobbyists

Political Action Committees (PACs) and Lobbyists

PACs

When people say “follow the money” – tracking PAC $$ to elected officials is one way of doing that.

A political action committee (PAC) is a group formed (as by an industry or an issue-oriented organization) to raise and contribute money to the campaigns of candidates likely to advance the group’s interests (Merriam Webster).

In regards to campaign contribution reports published by the Wyoming Secretary of State (which we download and publish at each legislator’s page) there is much to be learned by looking through these records and asking questions:

  • Regarding contributions from individuals, are most of the individuals from Wyoming residents or individuals from out of state?
  • Does the legislator receive more contributions from individuals or more from Political Action Committees (PACs)?
  • What percentage of total contributions are attributed to PACs? (As example, from 2010 to 2022 former House Representative Dan Zwontizer received 97% of all his contributions from PACs &/or campaign committees.)
  • Are there certain industry PACs that consistently contribute to the candidate every election cycle?

PROGRESSIVE PACs

ESG Political Action Committees (Environmental, Social, Governance)

Because Wyoming is an energy state most elected officials receive campaign contributions from a number of energy or mineral related businesses.  Some of these companies are now jumping on the ‘go green’ ESG climate change bandwagon that opposes oil, gas and coal, with some actively planning to shut down WY coal-powered plants.  Below is a list of ESG compliant energy company PACs that are working towards these ends:

RINO Donors

Many Wyomingites are unaware of donors that continually attempt to pull Republican candidates to the political left.  307 Votes refers to these entities as RINO Donors. Some of these donors are official PACS, and some are individual members of the good ole boy clubs – Wyoming family dynasties that believe they should be running the state of Wyoming.  Historically some of these Wyoming family dynasties include the True family, Simpson family, Cheney family, and McMurry family.

Below are the Progressive/RINO donor PACs that we have identified so far.  We will add to this list as more pop up.  They are listed in order of most active to least active:

  • Prosperity and Commerce PAC (often referred to as PAC PAC).  Primarily associated with Governor Mark Gordon.
  • Wyoming Caucus PAC (Clark Stith; Barry Crago)
  • Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition PAC (Chris Brown; Erik Dombroski).  Supports statewide and local lodging taxes. Advocates for J1 and H2B foreign work visa programs.  Annual events – Wyoming Governor’s Hospitality and Tourism Convention.
  • Wyoming Hope (Diemer True; Bill Cubin)
  • Diamond Free Enterprise PAC (Diemer True; Tracy True)
  • Frontier Republicans PAC (Diemer True; Gail Symons)
  • Team Wyoming (Joann Skeim-True; James  Worthen)
  • Cowboy PAC (Liz Cheney leadership PAC)
  • Future307 (Bill Novotny; Dick Shanor)

Click here for current Wyoming PAC List from WY Secretary of State

 

LOBBYISTS

A lobbyist is one who conducts activities aimed at influencing or swaying public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation (Merriam Webster).

Sadly, lobbyists have greater access to legislators than citizens because they are paid to travel to legislative sessions and committee meetings.

Lobbyists, in fact, host many “special events” during session to wine and dine our representatives – with breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions.  Click here to see the 8 page list of 2023 Special Events offered to WY lawmakers for 2023 General Session.  Note how some events are “Open to all Legislators. By invitation only to others“.

Note: In 2026 it was discovered that a lobbyist also serves part-time as an aid with WY Legislative Services Office.  (More details here.)

Click here for current Wyoming Lobbyist List from WY Secretary of State