Note: The following came in from a Wyoming Democrat. While we attempt to share work that reflects the WDP platform, you may come across some words that are not exactly what WDP would have written. Perhaps you will agree with and value what you read below, perhaps not. Your mileage may vary. -ed.

Good morning!

I am beginning to hear the whispers of an argument that has long since lost its luster: “Democrats in Wyoming should switch their registration to R to ensure that moderate Republicans win their primaries.” 

My mission today is to explain why that is the largest steaming cow pie that has ever been plopped on the Wyoming prairie. Four arguments detail my position.

First, it does not work. The attempt to elect Cheney instead of Hageman resulted in a huge exodus of Democrats from the party. I believe that Representative Hageman would tell you that you wasted your time and your vote. Closer to home, we all know of moderate Republican politicians who were defeated in the 2024 Laramie County primary even though friendly Democrats switched parties in an effort to defend them. Promoting old and failed policies in the false hope that they will somehow succeed this time sounds like the work of the Chuck Schumer wing of the party.

Second, there are very few moderate Republican politicians in Wyoming. How many Republican politicians will defend one or more of the following positions on the record?

• All working Wyoming people and their families should have good health insurance they can afford.
• Wyoming women should be able to make their own health care decisions about their own bodies.
• Every Wyoming child should have access to excellent public education in excellent facilities.
• Voter registration should be easy and safe, and registration should be encouraged.
• Organized workers ensure that working people get rewarded financially for their contribution to the success of the companies they work for.

You may be able to find a few, but primary races that could be tipped to a true moderate are very rare.

Third, the best way to ensure that future moderate Republican candidates make it through the primary is to ensure that there is a very viable Democratic candidate waiting for them in the general. Think about it. Voters in primaries are the most active and committed members of either party. In a vacuum, this leads to the success of the most radical candidates in the primary. However, if a viable candidate awaits in general, the active and knowledgeable primary voters have to make a calculation—they are no longer in a vacuum. Are they choosing a candidate that has the best chance of winning? That naturally pulls both parties to the middle.

Fourth, leaving the party to vote for Republicans will ultimately destroy the Democratic party. Potential candidates see fewer and fewer numbers of Democrats. Prudent candidates have no interest in expending their time, energy, and money on a guaranteed loss, so they don’t run. Voters note that there are no candidates to vote for on the Democratic side, so they switch their registration to Republican “So they have someone to vote for.” And the vicious cycle continues. The narrative keeps moving toward evil. We find ourselves saying things like, “Maybe we shouldn’t let all sick people die” as if it is some sort of radical left-wing thought.

I propose that we all stop playing political games that we can’t win. Vote with your heart. Register in the party that supports your values. Run for office in the party that supports your values. If you can’t run, volunteer for the candidate. Switching your party so that you can support the slightly less horrific of two evils will not change the world. Supporting the party that believes in people and communities will change the world.

Here for good,
Ted Hanlon