Wyoming’s Top State Senator Eyes a Leap to Washington, Announces Exploratory Committee

Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman (R-Ranchester) confirmed he is “looking seriously” at running for the state’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 election. He announced Tuesday that he has formed an exploratory committee to evaluate a potential campaign, with a final decision to come after the state’s legislative budget session concludes in early March.

“I’ve been encouraged to run by a lot of friends and allies and fellow patriots across the state,” Biteman, a 47-year-old state legislator of nine years, told Cowboy State Daily. He emphasized his current focus remains on his duties in Cheyenne. “I’ve got a huge responsibility and a huge job to finish — the job I was elected to do… I will have a decision after session – one way or another.”

The House seat is open for the first time since 2022, as incumbent U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Cynthia Lummis. Biteman would enter an all-Republican primary field that already includes Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, Casper businessman Reid Rasner, and former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow.

Speaking from Washington, D.C., where he said he was discussing Wyoming’s “energy dominance” with the White House, Biteman outlined what would be central themes of a potential campaign. He highlighted his strong support for the state’s traditional energy sectors—coal, oil, and natural gas—and his intention to fight what he called “ESG” (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies that he believes restrict financing for those industries. He also previewed a state-level bill to establish an “energy dominance fund” focused on grid reliability and promoting these mineral resources.

As the presiding officer of the Wyoming Senate, Biteman also shared his views on several key issues facing the legislature in its upcoming session, which begins February 9:

· On the University of Wyoming Budget: Commenting on a proposed $40 million cut by the Joint Appropriations Committee, Biteman said he would prefer a “more targeted approach than just across-the-board cuts.” He stated the Legislature has spent “a lot of money” on UW during his tenure and suggested using the “power of the purse” is one way to address perceived cultural differences between the university and the more conservative Legislature.
· On the Wyoming Business Council: Biteman indicated sympathy with efforts to defund the state’s economic development agency. He cited past debates over “mission creep” and whether taxpayers see a sufficient benefit, hinting he would likely allow a bill targeting the council to reach the Senate floor for debate.
· On an Abortion Amendment: Following a Wyoming Supreme Court ruling that abortion is protected by the state constitution, Biteman supports a new constitutional amendment to explicitly grant the Legislature the authority to restrict abortion. He believes the amendment should be simple—”one or two sentences, honestly”—to avoid judicial interpretation.
· On Judicial Selection: Biteman is open to discussions about changing how Wyoming selects judges, including implementing a state Senate confirmation process. He expressed concern that courts are increasingly acting as a “second veto” on conservative legislation passed by elected representatives.
· On a Full-Time Legislature: Biteman argued that Wyoming’s citizen legislature already functions as a full-time job without full-time pay, making it difficult to attract candidates who aren’t retired or independently wealthy. Governor Mark Gordon, speaking separately, disagreed with the idea, stating he prefers the limited legislative sessions designed by the state’s founders.

Biteman stated his candidacy would center on ensuring Wyoming remains “open for business” and is not merely “a retirement home for old, wealthy people from out-of-state.” He promised a formal announcement about his political future in the coming weeks.