WYOMING — The Republican field for Wyoming’s lone House of Representatives seat in Washington, D.C., has grown to double digits with a campaign announcement from Steve Friess.
Friess is the son of conservative heavyweight and wealthy Jackson philanthropist Foster Friess, who died in 2021. Steve Friess announced his campaign on Thursday morning, introducing himself as both a “political outsider” and “no stranger to the conservative movement.” According to Friess’ news release, he has been a Wyoming resident for almost 30 years. “Steve was baptized in the Shoshone River, met and married his wife Polly, and raised four children in the Cowboy State,” reads the campaign announcement.
“Too many career politicians talk about solving problems but never do,” Friess said in a statement. “They make big promises and then sell us out to the lobbyists and special interests. I’m a businessman, not a politician. I can’t be bought, and I’m running for Congress to fight for our conservative values, support President Trump in his battle for the heart and soul of America, and continue representing our state with the impactful leadership Congresswoman [Harriet] Hageman has.”
Friess describes himself as a Wyoming businessman and conservative activist. Per the statement, the Friess family was an early supporter of Turning Point USA and the anti-tax limited-government mission of the Tea Party Patriots. Friess is running on a platform that includes promoting President Trump’s “America First” agenda, defending the “birthright freedoms” of Americans and preserving the Wyoming way of life. He supports a secure southern U.S. border, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, term limits for Congress, school choice, and protection of “election integrity.”
“Wyoming Republicans will face a clear choice in this primary,” reads the news release. “You can vote for another career politician who talks a big game, goes to Washington, and does nothing, or you can support a genuine conservative outsider who has spent decades fighting for our values.”
According to the Jackson Hole News&Guide, Friess’ father was a major philanthropic force in Jackson and Wyoming, and he ran for governor of Wyoming in 2018 but ultimately lost to Mark Gordon.
Friess is the 10th Republican to announce a campaign in this race. He joins: former state representative John Romero-Martinez, Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman, Casper veterans David Giralt and Kevin Christensen, current Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, entrepreneur Reid Rasner, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, Pinedale resident Matt McGinnis and Moran rancher Frank Chapman. The primary election will take place on Aug. 18.
