Protect Wyoming PAC's Endorsed Candidates Sweep State Primary
In Wyoming's August 18 primary election, Protect Wyoming, a political action committee dedicated to public lands and wildlife conservation, achieved a clean sweep with all 33 of its endorsed candidates winning their races. This outcome is seen as a significant shift in Wyoming's political landscape, emphasizing the importance of public lands in state politics.
The PAC, led by Chairman Zach Lentsch, spent nearly $50,000 on donations and mobilized over 400 individual donors. Their grassroots efforts included extensive canvassing across the state, contributing to a voter turnout of over 150,000, the second-highest in recent state history.
Polling data leading up to the election indicated strong public support for keeping public lands under federal management, with 91 percent of respondents favoring this approach. This sentiment is reflected in the electoral success of candidates who align with these values.
The PAC was founded in response to growing anti-public-lands sentiment in the Wyoming legislature, aiming to educate voters on candidates' stances and promote science-based management of public lands.