307 Votes

PACs and Lobbyists

Political Action Committees (PACs)

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).

When people say “follow the money” – tracking PAC $$ to elected officials (and the decisions they make) is one way of doing that.

In regards to campaign contribution reports published by the Wyoming Secretary of State, there is much to be learned by looking through these records and asking questions:

  • Does the legislator receive more contributions from individuals or more from Political Action Committees (PACs)?
    Most of the High Trust legislators receive most of their contributions from individual Wyoming citizens.
  • What percentage of total contributions are attributed to PACs?
    As example, from 2010 to 2022 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?
    For example, some legislators appear to be favored by the medical/healthcare industry and receive significant funds from hospital, physician and pharmaceutical PACs.  In such cases a voter might want to question which direction their elected official votes in regards to COVID mandates – will the elected official represent you or their big donors?  Senator Fred Baldwin is a favored legislator for medical and pharmaceutical PACs, and votes in lockstep with the medical/pharmaceutical communities.

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

RINO = Republican In Name Only.

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 Wyoming family dynasties that believe they should be running the state of Wyoming – because of their money, corporations and/or past political careers.

The primary Wyoming family dynasties we refer to at this site include the True family, Simpson family, Cheney family, and McMurry family.

RINO Donors are elitists that are determined to turn Wyoming from Red to Blue, under the guise of being “moderate”.  RINOs and their donors typically accuse conservative legislators (and citizens) of incivility and being radical because conservatives will not compromise constitutional dictates.  Conservative legislators live up to their Oath of Office and RINOs have a pretty big problem with that.

RINOs and their donors are becoming increasingly desperate because regular working-class Wyoming citizens have been stepping up and winning elections.  RINOs and their donors appear to be more concerned with power as opposed to party platform and so they have been gradually moving to the Democratic end of the political spectrum in search of allies.  (One thing that can be said between RINOs and Democrats is that Democrats openly and honestly support their party platform – RINOs just pretend they do.  Many RINOs can check off voting the right way some of the time on 2nd Amendment and abortion issues – but go rogue on everything else.)

Below are the RINO donor PACs that we have identified so far.  We will add to this list as more pop up.

Out of the four RINO donor PACs mentioned above, Wyoming Hope PAC has been the most active in Wyoming and contributes no less than $2,000 to RINO legislators.  Their standard contribution is typically $5,000.  Even though Diemer True is listed as the Chairman of Wyoming Hope PAC, a significant amount of their funds come from Jackson billionaire and Cowboy State Daily owner Wayne Hughes Jr.  Scroll to the bottom of this page to see Wyoming Hope PAC Contribution Recipients and Wyoming Hope PAC Donors.

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

Lobbyists

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“.

Click here for current 2023 Wyoming Lobbyist List from WY Secretary of State

Click here for article, Wyoming Lobbying Groups Primary Election Scorecard


CANDIDATE RECIPIENTS OF WYOMING HOPE PAC CONTRIBUTIONS

Filer TypeFiler NamePayeePurposeDateCity State ZipFiling StatusAmount
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPERYAN BERGERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION10/10/2022EVANSTON, WY 82930FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEBILL HENDERSONCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION10/8/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82003FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPESWEETWATER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTYCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/21/2022ROCK SPRINGS, WY 82901FILED30000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECONRAD FOR HD 19CANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/16/2022MOUNTAIN VIEW, WY 82939FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDONALD BURKHARTCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/16/2022RAWLINS, WY 82301FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPELLOYD LARSENCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/16/2022LANDER, WY 82520FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEOAKLEY FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/16/2022RIVERTON, WY 82501FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPETAMARA TRUJILLOCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/16/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82007FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT JARED OLSENCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/15/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82003FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDEGENFELDER FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION8/18/2022LARAMIE, WY 82073FILED85000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT GUNNAR MALM COMMISSIONERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/19/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82009FILED2500
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT TARA NETHERCOTTCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/18/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82003FILED10000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECAMPAIGN TO RE-ELECT JOE MACGUIRECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/27/2022CASPER, WY 82609FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPERYAN BERGERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/27/2022EVANSTON, WY 82930FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEGARY MILLER FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/22/2022SHERIDAN, WY 82801FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT JARED OLSENCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/20/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82003FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF JANET MARSCHNERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/14/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82003FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPETHOMAS MYLERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/13/2022CASPER, WY 82601FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPELANE ALLREDCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/10/2022AFTON, WY 83110FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFORREST CHADWICK FOR HD 62CANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/9/2022EVANSVILLE, WY 82636FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT LILY SHARPECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/8/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82009FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDEGENFELDER FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/8/2022LARAMIE, WY 82073FILED10000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF CYRUS WESTERNCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/8/2022BIG HORN, WY 82833FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEVOTE BOLLERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/8/2022GILLETTE, WY 82716FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEHARSHMAN CAMPAIGNCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/2/2022CASPER, WY 82604FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPELINNAEA FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/2/2022CHEYENNE, WY 82009FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPENICOLAYSEN FOR COMMISSIONERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/2/2022CASPER, WY 82602FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEPETERSON FOR SENATECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/2/2022COWLEY, WY 82420FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPETONY NIEMIEC FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/2/2022GREEN RIVER, WY 82935FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT SHELLY DUNCANCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/1/2022LINGLE, WY 82223FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECONRAD FOR HD 19CANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/1/2022MOUNTAIN VIEW, WY 82939FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF SANDY NEWSOMECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/1/2022CODY, WY 82414FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEISLAND RICHARDS FOR SHWEETWATER COMMISSIONERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/1/2022ROCK SPRINGS, WY 82901FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEOAKLEY FOR WYOMING COMMITTEECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/1/2022RIVERTON, WY 82501FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEVOTE RUSTY BELLCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/1/2022GILLETTE, WY 82717FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEWENDY DAVIS SCHULERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/1/2022EVANSTON, WY 82930FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT OGDEN DRISKILLCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION5/31/2022DEVILS TOWER, WY 82714FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECRAGO FOR STATE HOUSECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION5/31/2022BUFFALO, WY 82834FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDREW PERKINS FOR STATE SENATECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION5/31/2022CASPER, WY 82601FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPESTACY JONES FOR STATE SENATECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION5/31/2022ROCK SPRINGS, WY 82901FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPERON MICHELIOTHER: LEGAL6/21/2021FORT BRIDGER, WY 82933FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEWALTERS FOR HD 38CANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/30/2020 , WY FILED2000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEJERRY PAXTON CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/28/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEBOB NICHOLAS FOR HOUSECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/24/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEMATTHEW BURKARTCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/23/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEAMY LARIMERCONSULTING9/22/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEBILL HENDERSONCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/22/2020WY FILED2000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEJOHN KOLB FOR SD 12CANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/21/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPELLOYD LARSENCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/17/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDONALD BURKART FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/16/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEMARK BAKER FOR WY HD 60CANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/16/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEOAKLEY FOR WYOMINGCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/14/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF AFFIE ELLISCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/11/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEED COOPER FOR SENATECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/10/2020 , WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPETHE TARRANCE GROUPOTHER: POLLING9/4/2020WY FILED29993
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT JARED OLSENCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION9/3/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEAMY LARIMERCONSULTING8/24/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF MICHAEL BAILEYCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/29/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEAMY LARIMERCONSULTING7/22/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECHARLIE SCOTTCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/20/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF MARK KINNERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/13/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF MICKY SHOBERCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/13/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDONALD BURKHART FOR WYOMING HOUSECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/6/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPESWEENEY FOR HOUSECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION7/1/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEEVAN SIMPSONCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/29/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEJERRY PAXTON CAMPAIGN COMMITTEECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/26/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDAN KIRKBRIDECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/25/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT TYLER LINDHOLMCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/24/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF SANDY NEWSOMECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/24/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPELLOYD LARSENCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/24/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRED BALDWIN FOR SENATECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/23/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEJONAH BANKBANKING 6/23/2020WY FILED21.33
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPETOM CRANK CAMPAIGN FUNDCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/23/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF AFFIE ELLISCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/22/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEJIM ANDERSON FOR SENATECANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/22/2020WY FILED2500
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEDANNY EYRE CAMPAIGN FUNDCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/19/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPECOMMITTEE TO ELECT JARED OLSENCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/18/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF ERIN JOHNSONCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/16/2020WY FILED5000
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWYOMING HOPEFRIENDS OF CYRUS WESTERNCANDIDATE/COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTION6/15/2020WY FILED5000

CONTRIBUTORS TO WYOMING HOPE PAC 

Contributor NameRecipient NameRecipient TypeContribution TypeDateFiling StatusAmountCity State Zip
GALEOTOS, SAMUEL (CHEYENNE)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY10/6/2022FILED5000CHEYENNE, WY 82009
TRUE, DAVID (CASPER)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY6/3/2022FILED5000CASPER, WY 82601
HUGHES, WAYNE (CHEYENNE)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY5/24/2022FILED250000CHEYENNE, WY 82003
TRUE, HENRY (GLENROCK)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY5/23/2022FILED5000GLENROCK, WY 82637
COSTANTINO, BECKY (DOUGLAS)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY5/13/2022FILED5000DOUGLAS, WY 82633
NICOLAYSEN, PETER (CASPER)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY5/13/2022FILED2500CASPER, WY 82602
MICHELI, RON (FORT BRIDGER)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY4/8/2022FILED500FORT BRIDGER, WY 82933
TRUE, DIEMER (CASPER)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY4/8/2022FILED5000CASPER, WY 82601
HUGHES, WAYNE (JACKSON)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY6/2/2021FILED50000JACKSON, WY 83002
HUGHES, JR., B. WAYNE (JACKSON)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY9/2/2020FILED56000JACKSON, WY 83002
NICOLAYSEN, PETER (CASPER)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY7/15/2020FILED500CASPER, WY 82602
TRUE, JOANN (CASPER)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY7/15/2020FILED5000CASPER, WY 82604
HUGHES, JR., B. WAYNE (JACKSON)WYOMING HOPEPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEMONETARY6/12/2020FILED150000JACKSON, WY 83002