Wyoming Freedom Caucus loses power following Checkgate controversy

The Freedom Caucus has seen a significant reduction in power in the Wyoming House following the November 3 election. This shift follows the ‘Checkgate’ controversy involving Constitution Party gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Bextel.

Bextel distributed $1,500 checks to several lawmakers aligned with the Freedom Caucus on the House floor during a budget session. While a House committee concluded the action did not constitute bribery, it described the incident as ‘undesirable and must never occur again.’ The matter remains under investigation by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office.

The controversy is cited as a factor in the recent election results, where nine members and allies of the caucus lost their races, leaving the group with at most 10 members in the House.