Fremont Clerk Says Guggenmos Ineligible For Reelection But Up To Chuck Gray

Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese has told state Rep. Joel Guggenmos that he is not eligible to run for reelection this year because he has not lived within his district since November, as required by the Wyoming Constitution. Guggenmos, a first-term Republican representing House District 55 in urban Riverton, confirmed that he lived outside the district for seven months. He said his landlord increased his rent by six times, prompting him and his family to move into a camper west of Riverton—within the boundaries of House District 33, represented by Rep. Ivan Posey, D-Fort Washakie.

Freese sent a letter to Guggenmos on Thursday stating her official opinion that he is not qualified, but she emphasized that the final decision rests with Secretary of State Chuck Gray. Gray did not respond to a request for comment by publication. Freese’s conclusion follows a residency complaint filed by Fremont County Democratic Party Chair Julie Twist and a subsequent investigation by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. “Due to recent allegations and subsequent investigation, your recent living situation has disqualified you as a potential candidate for House District #55,” Freese’s letter states. “Should you consider running for re-election in House District #55, it is my position that you will not qualify because you will not have resided in (the district) for 12 months on November 3rd, 2026, as is required by Article 3, Section 2 of the Wyoming Constitution.”

Guggenmos told Cowboy State Daily that he is awaiting legal advice before taking any action. “I’m also in conversations regarding legal advice. I have not heard back yet. They are studying this before I do anything,” he said. “Because I want to make sure my bases are covered; I don’t want to do anything that’s wrong.” The candidate filing period runs from May 14 to 29. Guggenmos said he has considered backing another candidate if he cannot run but has not found anyone as of Friday. Carl Manning, a longtime member of the local school board, declared his candidacy before the residency controversy surfaced.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office investigative report states that Wyoming and Fremont County Democratic Party officials were involved in bringing the complaint. Erin O’Doherty, data director for the Wyoming Democratic Party, said she was trying to remove lawmakers from the party’s voter list so canvassers do not knock on their doors. When she matched lawmakers to their districts by address, Guggenmos kept showing up outside his district. She referred the matter to Twist, who lives in HD55. Twist’s complaint noted that Guggenmos’s wife “has reportedly told members of the Riverton Garden Club that they have moved out of the district,” and that she passes regularly by the home under which Guggenmos registered when first representing the district and has never seen any indication that it is occupied.

Detective Kingston Cole pulled a vehicle registration dated Oct. 23, 2025, showing Guggenmos registered at 18 Blue Spruce Lane within Posey’s district. In a Dec. 30, 2025, financial disclosure, Guggenmos gave that address. He moved back into his district, onto East Madison Avenue, in late April. Guggenmos told the Legislative Service Office last July that he had to move out of his district. LSO Director Matt Obrecht confirmed that Guggenmos contacted him to ask about the legal implications of temporarily moving out while intending to return. Wyoming election law defines “residence” as a person’s place of actual habitation, with an exception for temporary absence with intent to return. Guggenmos said he is waiting for more information before deciding his next steps. “I want to make sure my bases are covered; I don’t want to do anything that’s wrong.”