What to know about Harriet Hageman, who defeated Liz Cheney in Wyoming's GOP primary

Merdie Nzanga, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Corrections & clarifications: An earlier version of this story incorrectly named the organization Harriet Hageman founded.

Harriet Hageman is likely to become Wyoming's next representative to the U.S. House. With the backing of former President Donald Trump, she faced incumbent Rep. Liz Cheney in Tuesday's Republican primary and won.

Hageman defeated Cheney by about a 30-point margin, according to unofficial results.

Because Wyoming is consistently conservative, the winner of this primary is seen as the likely winner of the general election.

Here is what you need to know about Hageman.

Alaska, Wyoming primaries: Takeaways: Cheney loses to Hageman in Wyoming; Alaska's Murkowski and Palin advance to general

Cheney weighs 2024 run: Fresh off Wyoming primary loss, Cheney says she's considering a presidential bid

Who is Harriet Hageman?

Hageman grew up in a ranch near Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

She received a bachelor of science in business administration in 1986, and a juris doctor from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1989. She served as a law clerk for a federal appeals judge.

Hageman, 59, has practiced law in the private sector in Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado, according to Iowa State University women in political communication archives.

She is a natural resources attorney, and co-founded Wyoming Conservation Alliance in 2004 with her former business partner Kara Brighton, according to Ballotpedia. The group's goal was to"increase public participation at both the state and federal regulatory level," Ballotpedia says.

Hageman has given speeches across the country talking about the government's overreach related to private property, as well as politicization of the Endangered Species Act, according to Cowboy State Daily.

She ran for governor of the state in 2018, but lost in the primary.

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Hageman announces run

Hageman announced she would run against Cheney for Wyoming's House seat on Sept. 9.

Cheney took heat from fellow Republicans for speaking out against Trump's involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, and was one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him.

"The people of Wyoming deserve leaders who reflect their views and values, but Liz Cheney betrayed us because of her personal war with President Trump, who won Wyoming by massive majorities twice," Hageman said in a statement before her official announcement.

In a debate against Cheney on June 30, Hageman supported Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, Business Insider reports.

Hageman primary update: Republican Rep. Liz Cheney is on track to lose her Wyoming primary. Here's how she's chasing a bigger win

Donald Trump's endorsement

Trump endorsed Hageman also on Sept. 9.

"Harriet is all in for America First," Trump said in a statement, while denouncing Cheney as a "RINO" – "Republican in Name Only" – and "the Democrats' number one provider of sound bites."

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Trump applauded Hageman's stand on border enforcement, crime, gun rights and what he called "Election Integrity."

Trump said he screened several Wyoming Republicans who wanted to run against Cheney and urged candidates to unite behind one challenger who could have a one-on-one race against Cheney, his GOP nemesis.

Kevin McCarthy backs Hageman

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., endorsed Hageman in February.

"After spending time with Harriet, it is readily apparent she will always listen and prioritize the needs of her local communities and is focused on tackling our nation’s biggest problems," McCarthy told The Federalist. "I look forward to serving with Harriet for years to come."

Hageman was once Cheney's ally

Hageman and Cheney's relationship has not always been controversial. She worked on Cheney's U.S. Senate campaign in 2014.

"I am proud to introduce my friend Liz Cheney," Hageman said at the time. "I know Liz Cheney is a proven, courageous, constitutional conservative, someone who has the education, the background and experience to fight effectively for Wyoming on a national stage."

Contributing: Ella Lee

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Harriet Hageman? She defeated Liz Cheney in Wyoming's primary

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