FROM THE WYODEMS EMAIL LIST AND NEWS RELEASES
One of the ways the Wyoming Democratic Party stays in contact with the public is via an email list, news releases, and social media. To help spread the word, this page quotes or links to some of the most recent communications from the state party. To sign up for the WYODEMS email list, send a request to https://wyodems.org/contact-page.
Posted 18 Jan 2026:
From the WYODEMS Executive Director
Dear Democrats,
I want to address an issue that has surfaced repeatedly in conversations across our state, sometimes quietly and sometimes openly. It is the idea that, because Democrats face long odds in many Wyoming races, it makes sense for Democrats to switch party registration, participate in Republican primaries, or even support Republican candidates in order to influence outcomes from the inside.
I understand why people reach this conclusion. Wyoming is a Republican-leaning state. In many districts, the Republican primary is treated as the decisive contest. It can feel pragmatic, even savvy, to believe that influencing that process is the only meaningful way to have a voice.
But I believe, strongly and sincerely, that this approach is deeply damaging to the Democratic Party in Wyoming, both today and in the years ahead.
This is not a question of loyalty tests or ideological purity. It is about whether we believe in building a Democratic Party that can endure, compete, and grow, or whether we are willing to slowly hollow it out in exchange for the illusion of short-term influence.
Political parties are not abstractions. They are living institutions built from people, participation, and shared commitment. When Democrats leave our own primaries, even temporarily, we weaken the very foundation that makes future competitiveness possible. Party registration numbers matter. They shape how candidates decide whether to run, how donors decide whether to invest, how volunteers decide whether their time matters, and how seriously our party is taken by the public, the media, and national partners.
Every time a Democrat opts out of our own primary, the signal sent is not strategic strength. It is institutional doubt. It says, even unintentionally, that we do not believe our own party, or even our own values, deserve to compete.
There is also a practical reality that deserves honesty. The theory that Democratic crossover voting reliably produces better Republican nominees is not borne out by experience. Republicans who win Republican primaries govern as Republicans. They are accountable to Republican voters, Republican donors, and Republican party structures. Democrats who abandon their own party to influence those contests rarely gain lasting leverage. What we lose, however, is measurable and lasting: credibility, registration strength, and confidence in our own bench of candidates.
Perhaps most damaging of all is the message this behavior sends to the next generation of Democrats. When party leaders, activists, or elected officials suggest that Democratic candidacies are optional or symbolic, we teach new voters that Democratic identity is disposable. We replace collective effort with individual calculation. A party cannot survive, let alone grow, under those conditions.
Wyoming Democrats face real challenges. No one is pretending otherwise. But history is clear on one point: parties do not become stronger by retreating from their own process. They become stronger by showing up consistently, fielding candidates even when winning is hard, and demonstrating faith in their own future.
The question before us is not whether Democrats will win every race today. The question is whether we are willing to act like a party that intends to exist tomorrow.
As Executive Director of the Wyoming Democratic Party, and as a fellow Democrat who believes deeply in this work, I am asking us to choose the harder, more honest path. To invest in our own primaries. To support Democratic candidates who step forward. To resist the temptation to outsource our voice to another party’s internal fights.
Real influence is built, not borrowed. And the future of our party in Wyoming depends on whether we are willing to build it together.
Thank you for taking this seriously and for caring enough about this party to wrestle with difficult questions in good faith.
Cheers,
Scott Merrifield, Executive Director
Wyoming Democratic Party
Posted 8 Jan 2026
Posted 8 Jan 2026
Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Women’s Rights to Healthcare
Posted 3 Jan 2026:
Wyoming Democratic Party Condemns Illegal War
Cheyenne – Wyoming Democratic Party has released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s military action in Venezuela:
Today, we woke to the news that Donald Trump has launched an illegal, unconstitutional regime-change war in Venezuela — and he’s not even pretending it’s about anything other than enriching oil corporations and billionaires.
Instead of being outraged by this blatant violation of the Constitution he claims to hold so dear, or defending Congress’s authority to declare war, Senator John Barrasso is cheering as the president tramples it.
Wyomingites don’t want our government “running” a foreign country. We want to be able to go to the doctor, feed our families, buy a home, and build the American dream in the state we love. While we face the highest premium spikes in the nation and our neighbors are being forced to go uninsured, Trump is trying to distract from his failing economy by dragging the country into another costly, unpopular war.
“Maduro is not a good guy, but let’s not lose sight of the bigger question: how does this help lower the cost of living for citizens in Wyoming? How does this solve the real issues facing Americans? This is simply a distraction,” said Chair Lucas Fralick.
Once again, the American people are being stabbed in the back while politicians protect billionaires and abandon the Constitution. We deserve better, and we must demand it from those elected to serve us.
Posted 26 December 2025:
Happy Holidays Letter from Wyoming State Party Chair Lucas Fralick
No doubt, 2025 has been full of terrible and heavy pieces in the news — from the increased cost of living to the illegal seizure of people on the streets in our cities.
Wyoming is not immune to the whims of the man in the White House, or the party that claims to be the “Freedom” Caucus. Healthcare premiums are about to skyrocket, books are being banned, public institutions are being attacked, and Wyoming is not better for it.
It would be easy to throw up our hands, turn our heads, and say there’s nothing we can do.
But that’s not the spirit of a Wyoming Democrat. It would be foolish to hope for those in power to change. But in place of that hope rests us. People. It is up to us to make a difference. The forces pushing division may be loud and relentless, but by working together, we can push back this tide of hate and vitriol that fills our civil discourse and fuels policy.
And that’s exactly what we’ve done.
Throughout this difficult year, Democrats across the state have never given up — we’re nothing if not stubborn. We have gathered together to fight the authoritarian takeover of our government at rally after rally in towns from Riverside (yes, even this tiny town of 60 had a rally!) to Gillette. In partnership with the Wyoming Legislature Democrats, we have raised over $5000 for Food Bank of Wyoming. In nearly every county in the reddest state in America, Democrats showed up not only to help their neighbors and improve their communities but to push back on harmful legislation and have important conversations.
We are so proud of all we’ve accomplished, at a time when the odds are stacked against us and the world feels heavy. We carry that same spark forward into the upcoming year.
This holiday season, no matter how you decide to celebrate, keep your family and friends close. Rest up and get ready to turn the tide by electing Democrats in Wyoming in 2026. The Democratic Party in Wyoming is in this fight, and we’re not going anywhere — after all, we are here for good.
Wishing you the happiest holiday from all of us at WDP!
Sincerely,
Lucas
Posted 18 November 2025:
November 2025 Newsletter from Wyoming State Party
Access the latest state newsletter here.
Posted 19 August 2025:
August 2025 Newsletter from Wyoming State Party
Access the August state newsletter here.
Posted 22 May 2025:
Email from State Chair: Time for a New Chapter
To My Fellow Wyoming Democrats,
Over the past eight years, I’ve had the immense honor of serving as Chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Looking back, I’m struck not only by how much we’ve accomplished together—but by how much we’ve endured. We’ve navigated some truly unexpected circumstances: a global pandemic that redefined how we organize, right-wing operatives attempting to infiltrate our ranks, and the strange reality of a Republican congresswoman from Wyoming becoming one of the most prominent voices standing up to Donald Trump. Through it all, we stood together—united by our values, our resilience, and our shared belief that Wyoming deserves better.
Being a Democrat in this state isn’t easy. In fact, it’s probably the hardest place in the country to be one. But we’ve never let that stop us. We’ve organized, protested, run for office, knocked on doors, and held the line. We’ve raised our voices when it mattered most. And we’ve never given up. There’s always more we wish we’d accomplished—there always will be—but I’ve never doubted our commitment or our courage.
Serving as Chair has been the highlight of my political life. But now it’s time for a new chapter. On May 22, 2025, I will officially step down as Chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party. That day, I’ll begin a new role with the Association of State Democratic Committees, where I’ll continue working to strengthen state parties across the country. I take this step with gratitude for the experiences we’ve shared and excitement for the road ahead.
WDP Vice Chair Erin O’Doherty will perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chair until state party elections are held on June 1, 2025, in Rock Springs.
I don’t know who the next elected Chair will be—but I do know this: whoever takes on the role will need your support. Not just your encouragement, but your financial support. That’s the hard truth. Vision alone won’t build a movement. It takes resources. If you can give a little, give what you can. If you can give a lot, give what you should. Because this isn’t just about electing Democrats—it’s about building a Wyoming that is stronger, more just, and ready for the future.
Thank you for letting me be part of this journey with all of you. I’ll never stop believing in what we can achieve together.
Onward and upward,
Joe M. Barbuto, Chair
Wyoming Democratic Party
Posted 23 Jan 2025:
Email from State Chair, Subject: Inauguration Day
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our country, and for many of us, it’s accompanied by feelings of anger, grief, and uncertainty. These emotions are valid and reflect the deep care and commitment we share for our communities, our state, and the future of our nation.
This moment also reminds us of the dual responsibilities we hold as Democrats.
First, we must embrace our role as the loyal opposition—a role that we’re familiar with in deep red Wyoming. This means standing up against policies that harm our communities, holding leaders accountable, and fighting tirelessly for justice, equality, and democracy. It’s not an easy path, but we’ve walked it before, and we know it demands courage and clarity of purpose.
At the same time, we must recommit to listening—deeply and honestly—to the people of Wyoming. Across our state, in ranches, cities, small towns, and coal country, people are yearning for leadership that understands their challenges and reflects their values. As Wyoming Democrats, we must continue to demonstrate that we are not only aligned with their hopes but are ready to deliver real solutions.
This is no small task, but I believe in the strength and resilience of our party here in Wyoming. I believe in the Democrats we’ve elected to public office. As Chair, I’ve witnessed firsthand the grit and determination that define our members and supporters. Together, we have continued to amplify the voices of those often overlooked and worked to build a Democratic presence in one of the most challenging political environments in the nation.
Let today serve as a reminder of why we do this work, who we fight for, and what’s at stake. The road ahead will not be easy, but every step we take will bring us closer to the Wyoming we know is possible—one where fairness, opportunity, and justice prevail for all.
With resolve and determination,
Joe M. Barbuto, Chair
Wyoming Democratic Party
Note that this not an archive page. Messages with limited time frames will be removed when they are no longer applicable, as will very old messages.