Conservative Activist Delivers Checks on House Floor, Igniting Ethics Firestorm at Wyoming Capitol

CHEYENNE — A routine Monday evening on the Wyoming House floor took an unusual turn when Jackson-based conservative activist Rebecca Bextel walked through the nearly empty chamber and handed campaign checks to several Republican lawmakers. Two days later, the quiet exchange erupted into a full-blown confrontation, with accusations of bribery, defamation threats, and deepening partisan divisions spilling into public view.

Bextel, a prominent donor and operative with close ties to the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, confirmed on social media that she was “delivering lawful campaign checks from Teton County donors” during the first day of the 2026 budget session. She framed the act as a matter of convenience, saving paper and postage. Rep. Darin McCann, R-Rock Springs, one of the recipients, defended the exchange, stating the checks came from an unnamed Teton County donor, not Bextel herself. “It was strictly a convenience for both of them,” McCann said.

But the optics quickly drew scrutiny. Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, photographed Bextel handing what appeared to be a check to McCann while Rep. Marlene Brady, R-Green River, held a similar document nearby. Provenza called it “an egregious use of the House floor.” The photograph circulated quietly until Wednesday morning, when Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, referenced the incident during debate on a housing bill Bextel has aggressively championed.

“My understanding is that that person handed out checks on the floor of the Legislature during the session,” Yin said, stopping short of alleging a direct quid pro quo. His remarks drew an immediate point of order from House Speaker Chip Neiman and a sharp rebuke from Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, who accused Yin of making “a defamatory statement.” Bextel later approached Yin in the Capitol and told him she planned to sue.

In a Facebook post, Bextel dismissed the controversy, writing, “There’s nothing wrong with delivering lawful campaign checks.” She also claimed to have raised $400,000 for conservative candidates in the last election cycle and pledged to double that amount this year.

The incident has unsettled even some veteran lawmakers. Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, a former Senate president, said he does not accept donations while conducting legislative business and urged colleagues to approach their work “with the utmost integrity.” Senate Minority Floor Leader Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, said the episode reinforces negative stereotypes about Teton County influence and shows “a lack of regard for the job.”

While no rules explicitly prohibit handing checks to lawmakers inside the chamber, the episode has raised broader questions about the intersection of campaign finance, legislative access, and the informal power of well-funded activists operating inside the Capitol. Campaign finance reports showing the donations are not due until August.