Carbon County GOP Demands Resignations of Three Representatives Over ‘CheckGate’ Silence

The Carbon County Republican Party has adopted resolutions calling for the resignation of three state representatives and a top GOP leader, accusing them of staying silent while a colleague wrongly faced defamation allegations for exposing the “CheckGate” controversy on the House floor.

The resolutions, passed unanimously Tuesday night, target Reps. Joe Webb (R-Lyman), Marlene Brady (R-Green River), and Darin McCann (R-Rock Springs). A separate resolution calls for Rep. Nina Webber (R-Cody) to resign her post as the Wyoming Republican Party’s national committeewoman, though not her legislative seat.

The controversy stems from Feb. 9, when conservative activist Rebecca Bextel handed out campaign checks on the House floor after adjournment—with Webber as her escort, according to eyewitness Rep. Karlee Provenza (D-Laramie). Two days later, House Minority Floor Leader Mike Yin (D-Jackson) urged colleagues not to vote on a bill Bextel championed, citing “bad optics.”

What followed sparked the current firestorm. Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody) registered a formal protest against Yin, accusing him of making “defamatory statements” that amounted to alleging “bribery and unethical” conduct. But Bextel herself had already confirmed publicly that she distributed checks on the floor.

The Carbon County GOP’s resolution argues that Webb, Brady and McCann—who had “intimate firsthand knowledge” of the check-passing—remained silent while Yin was publicly attacked for speaking truth. “At no time during the debate did any of these individuals … exercise the honor, integrity, or principles that is expected of an elected official,” the document states.

The resolutions also lament that the ensuing debate derailed nearly 50 bills from meeting their introduction deadline, including more than 30 aligned with Wyoming GOP priorities.

Sponsor Joey Correnti, Carbon County GOP vice chair, said the party has a history of holding Republicans accountable, having spearheaded the 2021 censure of then-Rep. Liz Cheney. He emphasized he acted independently of his role as a Senate leadership aide.

Uinta County GOP Chair Rowdy Dean called the resolutions “too strong” this early in an active law enforcement investigation but acknowledged constituents are disgusted. Sweetwater and Lincoln County parties are considering similar actions.

Webb, Brady and McCann did not respond to requests for comment. Yin declined to comment, saying he didn’t want to meddle in another party’s affairs.

The resolutions will be considered at the Wyoming Republican Party’s Feb. 28 Central Committee meeting in Cheyenne.