Nationwide — James Byrd, an African American politician, has won Wyoming’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, earning his party’s nomination for the November election. He will face Republican Harriet Hageman, who won her own primary, in the race for the state’s open Senate seat. If Byrd wins the general election, he would become Wyoming’s first Black senator.
The former state representative won the Democratic primary by a wide margin, receiving 78% of the vote. Political newcomer Billy Benavidez finished with 22%. The decisive victory gives Byrd a chance to compete for a seat that has not been held by a Black senator in Wyoming’s history.
Hageman also secured a strong victory in the Republican primary. The two-time congresswoman received 62.7% of the vote, while Sam Mead finished second with 28.5%, according to the Associated Press. Mead works in the technology industry, previously operated a whiskey distillery, and is the nephew of former Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead. Jimmy Skovgard, Jill Edwards and John Holtz each received less than 10% of the Republican vote.
The Senate race opened after Sen. Cynthia Lummis announced last year that she would not seek another term. Election officials had reported only about one-third of county results when the Associated Press called both primary races before 9 p.m. The November ballot could also include third-party and independent candidates who meet the requirements to enter the race.
The Democratic victory has added significance for Byrd because of his family’s place in Wyoming’s political history. His mother became the state’s first Black woman to serve in the Legislature, making his Senate campaign part of a broader political legacy. During his victory speech in Cheyenne, Byrd told supporters that the campaign was not over but urged them to celebrate the primary win. “Because we are on the right side of this. We are backed through the people,” he said.
The November election will determine who takes over the open Senate seat. Hageman did not respond to a request for comment by publication, while Byrd now prepares for a statewide contest after securing the Democratic nomination. The race will also determine whether Wyoming sends its first Black senator to Washington.