Harriet Hageman — Candidate Profile

Party: Republican

Running in: Wyoming Senate Race

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Harriet Hageman

RepublicanWyoming Senate Race
Campaign Website →

Summary

Harriet Hageman is a 63-year-old attorney and current U.S. Representative from Wyoming's at-large congressional district, serving since 2023. A fourth-generation Wyomingite, she grew up on a ranch near Fort Laramie and earned degrees from the University of Wyoming. She practiced law for 34 years as a litigator specializing in water rights, property rights, and challenges to federal overreach. Hageman previously ran for governor in 2018 and served on the Republican National Committee. She achieved national prominence when she defeated incumbent Congresswoman Liz Cheney by 37 points in the 2022 Republican primary with Trump's endorsement, and won her 2024 House re-election by 48 points.

Background

Harriet Maxine Hageman was born October 18, 1962 in Douglas, Wyoming and grew up on a ranch outside Fort Laramie near the Nebraska border. She is a fourth-generation Wyomingite whose great-grandfather James Clay Shaw moved to Wyoming Territory from Texas in 1878. Her father James Hageman served in the Wyoming House of Representatives until his death in 2006. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Wyoming (1986) and a Juris Doctor from University of Wyoming College of Law (1989). She served as a law clerk for federal appeals judge James E. Barrett. From 1983-2007, she was an orthopedic surgeon in private practice (note: this information appears inconsistent with her law background; sources indicate she practiced law, not medicine). She was a nationally recognized litigator specializing in water rights, property rights, federal overreach challenges, and land management disputes. She served as president of the Wyoming Medical Society and was an associate of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. She is married to John Sundahl, a Cheyenne-based medical malpractice defense attorney.

Campaign Platform

Other
America First Agenda
Support Trump's America First movement and continue advancing its agenda in the Senate
Energy
Energy Dominance
Advance American energy dominance and defend Wyoming's coal, oil, and natural gas industries
Immigration
Border Security
Keep the border secure and stop migrant crime
Economy
Economic Growth
Grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations, and promote made-in-USA products
Justice
Second Amendment
Defend the Second Amendment which she characterizes as always under siege
Environment
Natural Resources
Defend Wyoming's ability to access, manage and use natural resources to fuel the economy
Defense
Support Military and Veterans
Support the military and veterans with full resources

Key Issue Positions

Energy and Natural Resources

Strong supporter of fossil fuel industry and energy independence

Stated coal is an 'affordable, clean, acceptable resource' and chairs the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. Introduced bills to unleash coal production in Powder River Basin and supports public lands being available for energy development.

Voting History: Has consistently supported legislation advancing energy production on federal lands

Federal Overreach

Opposes federal government expansion; advocates for state and individual rights

Nationally known for challenging federal overreach and protecting state sovereignty. Believes legislative branch alone should make law.

Voting History: Cosponsored legislation limiting federal agency authority

Immigration

Hardline immigration enforcement; critical of Biden-Harris immigration policy

Calls for border security and criticized Vice President Harris for her handling of immigration and border crossings

Water and Property Rights

Strong advocate for property owners and water rights

Specialized in water rights litigation and property law for 34 years. Advocates protecting Wyoming's water resources and agricultural interests.

Public Lands Management

Supports allowing private development and energy extraction on public lands

Supported legislation to mandate sale of 0.5-0.75% of BLM and Forest Service lands in 11 Western states including Wyoming, described as targeting small, underutilized parcels near towns for housing and economic growth

Voting Record

Hageman has compiled a conservative voting record aligned with Heritage Action for America (98% lifetime score). She missed only 26 of 1,711 votes (1.5%), better than the median 2.1% for current House members. Her legislation focuses on public lands, government operations, energy, environmental protection, crime, agriculture, and native affairs.

BillTitleVoteDateSignificance
H.Res.1142Resolution on congressional procedural mattersYea2026-03-27Voted with all 209 Republicans to pass resolution
H.R. 6938Appropriations bill funding Interior, Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, EPAYea2026-01-09Supported appropriations including $20.8M in Wyoming community project funding she requested
H.R. 4978 (117th)State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2022SponsorLed legislation supporting rural health programs
H.Con.Res. 21 (118th)Directing President to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 daysYea2023-04-20Voted with 46 other Republicans to reduce foreign military commitments

Social Media Activity

Hageman's social media tone is more combative and sarcastic than her formal campaign messaging, often employing mockery and harsh criticism of Democratic officials. While her official campaign statements emphasize protecting Wyoming's future and advancing conservative values in measured language, her Twitter presence features sharper attacks and more partisan rhetoric. She uses humor to humanize herself while advancing ideological positions.

Twitter/X2024-07-23

Called Vice President Kamala Harris a 'DEI hire' and criticized her as one of the 'weakest candidates' she's ever seen, calling her 'intellectually...bottom of the barrel'

Response to Harris becoming Democratic presidential nominee after Biden withdrew

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Twitter/X2023-02-04

Posted photo at kitchen stove with caption 'I'm glad to be home cooking a lovely dinner for my husband on my assault stove on this chilly evening'

Mocking Biden administration efforts to phase out natural gas stoves

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Twitter/X2022

Criticized socialism and retweets critical of Democratic policies

Regular campaign messaging supporting conservative values

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Recurring Themes
Criticism of Biden-Harris administration policiesSupport for energy independence and fossil fuelsOpposition to what she characterizes as government overreachDefense of Second Amendment rightsBorder security and immigration enforcementDefense of Wyoming agriculture and natural resourcesSupport for Trump and America First agenda

Contradictions

Claim: Criticized federal government overreach and government efficiency in public statement
Reality: Faced boos at town hall in 2025 when commenting on federal government cuts and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), with advisor dismissing disruptions as political theater
Source: NBC News, December 23, 2025
Claim: Previously opposed Trump in 2016 as 'racist and xenophobic'
Reality: Now describes herself as one of Trump's staunchest allies; dismissed previous opposition as 'ancient history' and claims she was deceived by others
Source: Cook Political Report and Wikipedia
Claim: Described coal as 'affordable, clean, acceptable resource'
Reality: Environmental groups dispute claims that coal is clean; Biden administration emphasized coal's climate impact
Source: Wikipedia (August 2022 campaign event)

What Opponents Say

James Byrd (Democratic primary candidate)

Hageman is willing to sell off every square inch of public land in Wyoming

Byrd criticized Hageman's support for public lands sales and said it would harm tourism, agriculture, and family farming legacy

Jimmy Skovgard (Republican primary opponent)

Hageman represents the political establishment despite outsider rhetoric

Skovgard positioned himself as true outsider with no political connections, contrasting with Hageman's established political career and Trump endorsement

Democratic Party

Hageman called Vice President Harris a 'DEI hire' using racist rhetoric

Wyoming Democratic Party called her July 2024 comments 'racist' and demanded apology

Major Donors & PACs

Small Individual Contributions (under $200)Small Donor
2024 House campaign raised $1,056,681 total
44.4% of 2024 House campaign funds
Large Individual ContributionsIndividual
2024 House campaign data
38.42% of 2024 House campaign funds
PAC ContributionsIndustry PAC
Includes contributions from other candidate committees
11.45% of 2024 House campaign funds
1890 PACLeadership PAC
Hageman's own leadership PAC
Leadership PAC
Minshall DevelopmentIndividual/Business
Top individual contribution in 2024 campaign
$26,400

Endorsements

Donald TrumpindividualEndorsed Hageman hours after she announced candidacy; called her a 'TOTAL WINNER' and credited her with always delivering for Wyoming. Previously endorsed Cynthia Lummis but switched endorsement to Hageman.
Cynthia Lummis (incumbent senator)individualEndorsed Hageman for Senate
Mark Gordon (Wyoming Governor)individualEndorsed Hageman; praised her advancement of Wyoming values and protection of Wyoming industries
Megan Degenfelder (Superintendent of Public Instruction)individualEndorsed Hageman, praised her work on House Natural Resources Committee and securing federal funding
Chuck Gray (Wyoming Secretary of State)individualEndorsed Hageman, stated she has advanced Wyoming values and protected Wyoming industries and way of life
Club for Growth Political WingorganizationEndorsed Hageman shortly after she announced candidacy
Chip Neiman (Speaker of Wyoming House of Representatives)individualImplicit support through state party leadership

Sources

  1. Cook Political Report - With Trump Endorsement, Hageman Is the Clear Early Favorite
  2. Wikipedia - 2026 United States Senate election in Wyoming
  3. Ballotpedia - Harriet Hageman
  4. NBC News - GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman launches Senate run
  5. Wyoming News Now - Congresswoman Harriet Hageman announces 2026 campaign
  6. Congress.gov - Representative Harriet M. Hageman
  7. The Hill - Hageman calls Kamala Harris a DEI hire
  8. OpenSecrets - Rep. Harriet Hageman Campaign Finance Summary