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By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 2:06 AM MDT

WASHINGTON -- Wyoming congressional candidate Mark Gordon has given his campaign almost $648,000 in his quest to become the Republican nominee for the U.S. House this year.

Gordon is one of several Republicans running to replace U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin, a Republican who is retiring this year. Gordon's campaign says he has raised more than $828,000, including the money he gave his campaign.

The rancher from Johnson County said that he would not have asked others to invest in his campaign unless he had invested in it as well.

"I care deeply about Wyoming and its people, but the sad reality is that modern campaigns are very expensive," he said.

One of the Republicans running against Gordon in the Aug. 19 primary is Cynthia Lummis, a former Wyoming state treasurer. She raised a total of around $370,000, including $67,000 she donated to her own campaign.

Also running in the Republican primary is retired U.S. Navy officer Bill Winney, who had not yet submitted his campaign finance information to the Federal Election Commission and did not return a call seeking the numbers. Winney had raised a total of $5,650 as of March 31.

The only Democrat in the race is Wilson businessman Gary Trauner, who narrowly lost to Cubin two years ago by about 1,000 votes. He has raised more than any of the Republicans, with a total of $990,000 in donations, including more than $320,000 raised between April and the end of June. He has not given any of his own money to the campaign.

Wyoming's two senators, both up for election this year, have reported nearly even fundraising. Republican Mike Enzi has raised $1.8 million since he was last re-elected in 2002, and Republican John Barrasso has raised $1.9 million since he was appointed to the seat by Gov. Dave Freudenthal in 2007 after the death of Sen. Craig Thomas.

Barrasso is running this year to complete Thomas's full term. His Democratic opponents, Gillette attorney Nick Carter and former state Sen. Keith Goodenough, have not come close to his fundraising.

Carter has raised a total of around $111,000. Goodenough has not raised the $5,000 necessary to file a report with the Federal Election Commission.

Chris Rothfuss, a Democrat challenging Enzi, did not respond to a request for his fundraising information.


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Comments to this story.

WyoSupporter wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:53 AM:

" I was shocked to see Trauner hasn't contributed anything to his own cause, nothing like empowering and believing in yourself. I guess other people's money is good enough. "

Inky wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:17 AM:

" Maybe Lummis and Gordon HAVE to lend their campaigns cash, because there's not much enthusiasm out there for either of them.
Just another way to look at things. "

campaign wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:51 AM:

" It's obvious that Gordon is attempting to BUY the election because he doesn't have very much in state donations other than from himself. His other big contributor is an oil company in Texas!

As for Trauner, how much of his $990k is from in state donations?

Cynthia's personal contribution is just enough to show that she believes in her own ability to win, without appearing to be trying to BUY the election. Are Wyomingites so stupid as to allow someone to buy our lone congressional seat? I think not. "

huhhhh wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:51 AM:

" How does a "small rancher" come up with $650,000 of his own money to pour into a campaign to try to secure a job that pays $170,000/year?? "

Crow Creek wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:12 AM:

" I'm pretty shocked to see Lummis is employing Cubin's son. WJRW Consulting is Bill Cubin... Are we getting anything new with Lummis? I don't think so. "

BULL wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Go Trauner go "

Slim wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:04 AM:

" A vote for Lummis is a vote for Cubin. "

Here is your answer wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Ever hear of Gordon Gin and Vodka?? Marks daddy, Crow, set his baby boy up with a lot of money from the business. "

KOS wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Why should Trauner dip into his own pockets when he has the 527 groups and the out of state trial lawyers to fund his campaign? These people with their summer homes in Jackson and Wilson can't wait to get their guy in there to keep us rubes from "ruining" their playground. If you like the way they do things in NY and CA than Trauner is your guy! "

Ranch errr wrote on Jul 16, 2008 1:59 PM:

" Amen, Huhhh. Gordon is so much spin you'd think he'd been doing this a long time. If you read his bio, I've always been curious how you just buy a ranch at the base of the Big Horns, even in the down times that land wasn't cheap. There's more to him that he doesn't want us to know. How did he make all his wealth, a movie theater in Buffalo? He's not being forthright.

Nor has he answered (or been asked) why was so supportive of Trauner last time but now thinks he's not the right one for the job.

If I were Gary, I'd be a little hurt. He's not even in office and has supporters running against him.

Crow Creek, I'd rather have Bill Cubin helping on a campaign than a big shot Hollywood ad agency doing candidate makeover ads. "

Crow What wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:42 PM:

" Crow Creek,
Who would you rather have working for you - the folks who almost won the last campign or the folks who DID win the last campaign.

Maybe Bill Cubin has some valuable insights - at least valuable to Lummis. Okay by me. "

Cant Buy an Election wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:49 PM:

" The real story here is, where is the money coming from? Yeah, Gary has raised a lot of money in the last TWO YEARS, but the majority of his donors and people who belong to the groups who donate to him will not be able to vote for him. they don't live in Wyoming. On the other hand, Cynthia has raised not only a fair amount of cash for a primary, but she has an army of volunteers. Many of us can't give a lot of money, but we are giving our time. We work in every county and represent every occupation. What we are finding as we attend parades and local celebrations as well as walk door to door and make phone calls is this: People love Cynthia. Her work as a Wyoming State Treasurer is well respected and every day reinforces our faith that Wyoming voters value the real deal and that is Cynthia Lummis. "

Budget Hawk wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:39 PM:

" Gordon is not Gordon's Gin you stupid idiots. They are owned by an English family. "

Budget Hawk ish wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:53 PM:

" Stupid Idiots...?only one person said that.
Although, have you never been to Big Horn, Wyoming and wondered why they play polo in the middle of freakin Wyoming? Lots of English influence and family along the Big Horns, including Malcom Wallop.

I'm a Tanquerey fan anyway so I don't care if he's Gordon's gin or not but how do you just up and buy a ranch at the base of the beautiful Big Horns budget hawk? Aren't you curious? "

Rance wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:21 AM:

" Haven't we had enough of Cubin? She wasn't qualified to be elected to the position the 1st time, let alone 6 more times. She was special interest over Wyoming the whole time she was in office and you think things are going to change if Lummis gets elected? And why doesn't Lummis go by her married name? That doesn't seem like a Wyoming value to me. If Bill Cubin is working for her, it's only so Lummis can have access to his mommy's campaign contributors, that's all. Winney ain't got nothing to report. - so he should probably drop out and quit wasting our time. And since you Republicans like to make such a big deal out of what you think is flip-flopping, what do you have to say about Gordon? Looks to me like he's the biggest flip-flopper of them all. He was a Democrat before he decided he needed to be a Republican to get elected to anything in Wyoming. Seems like he's got all you Republican voting dopes figured out perfectly. "

GOP conventioner wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:28 PM:

" Hey wasn't anyone at the GOP convention? Gordon is not from Gordon's gin. It is owned by a British Company. Who cares where the money comes from, anyway? "

Cmon wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:06 PM:

" Rance, you are a classic Chauvinist Pig. Why should Cynthia have to go by her husband's last name when she was born with a perfectly good one?

It is a woman's perogative to change/not change her last name at the time of her marriage.

Are you so insecure in your manhood that you demand that all women change their last names?

This is the 21st Century, Rance. Try to keep up! "

Tierra wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:55 PM:

" Elections are very expensive i.e. TV, radio and newspapers ads, traveling throughout the state, attending events to introduce oneself, posters, campagin staff, rent of campaign headquarters etc. One million is not a great deal of money for this congressional election - just look at what was spent in the presidential primaries! Gordon is spending what he needs to spend to introduce himself to the voters of Wyoming. "

DAKOTA wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:10 AM:

" Right on Rance! Tell it like it is! "

Rance wrote on Jul 18, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Ummm ... because it's a Wyoming value that's been around since before statehood that wives take thier husband's last name. My great grandmother did it, as did grandma, my ma, and my wife. They all were and are from Wyoming. I sure hope you're not trying to suggest that women who do uphold Wyoming values are in any way less than those who don't. Everyone knows that if Lummis wins the primary, her campaign will try to say she's all about Wyoming values and Trauner is a carpetbagger just like Cubin tried to do. That's not going to work at all this year. You know, there's usually a reason a woman doesn't take her husband's name after they're married. And it's not called perogative. "

DAKOTA wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:53 PM:

" 50 bucks says Cmon doesn't even know what Cynthia Lummis' married last name is. Hell, make that $100. "

Friend of Cmon wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:11 PM:

" Wiederspan "

Who Cares wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:14 PM:

" Cmon is right and frankly what does it matter what Cynthia's married name is... but if you really care it is Wiederspahn. But seriously DAKOTA back off.

Oh and Cynthia did add Wiederspahn to the end of here name but here political career had started before she was married and it would have been dumb to campaign under a different name. "

Really wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:39 PM:

" Dearest Rance, Dakota, Like minded individuals,

Reducing this "discussion" to something as stupid as Lummis' last name is completely ridiculous..

Last time i checked I thought Wyomingites prided themselves on having a live and let live attitude. Perhaps I was mistaken.

I hope to God you don't vote. Maybe you could stay in instead to keep your woman in line? "

Timmothy S. wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:11 PM:

" Why don't you people stop arguing about Lummis last name why Mark Gordon has spent some of his personal money and spend 10 mins no no please 15 mins on each of their issues pages on their websites and then go vote for the better "MAN" "

Inez wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:50 PM:

" Gordon is not the Gordon from Gordon's Gin. "

Regina wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:57 PM:

" Is Lummis' husband, Alvin Wiederspan, the same Wiederspan that was arrested for marijuana use? "

DAKOTA wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:27 AM:

" Live and let live? Really? It must have been that kind of mentality that brought the anit-gay marrige bill to the legislature, or the Forest Service Gestopo to the Rainbow gathering, and the prairie dog shoot-fest in Medicine Bow this year. Sorry pal, you were sorely mistaken. Live and let live doesn't exist here in Wyoming. Wyoming lives by Wyoming values: Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, Chevrolet and the omnipotent Republican Party. This election is going to be about Wyoming values only because you Republicans will make it so. And a Wyoming value IS one where the woman takes her husband's last name. Maybe they don't do that in the state where you're writing from, but we do here, unless there's another reason not to. "

Above the Law wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:04 AM:

" Regina-

Actually it is the Wiederspan who owns half of Cheyenne. As for his son being 'arrested,' yeah right. More like a talking-to. People in those circles do not get arrrested. "

Friend of Cmon wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:39 AM:

" Dakota, quit whining and send me my hundred bucks. Time to show us those 'Wyoming values' of yours. You're the one who put the money on the table. So pay up or clam up, chump. Kind of tired of listening to you. "

Graftsman wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:57 PM:

" I don't think it is a good idea to give your own campaign money. Far better to be in debt to a handful of lobbyists and 'contributors' who have then got you by the nadz. Worked for Cubin. She was just wonderful. "

Really wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:36 PM:

" Dearest Dakota,

I particularly liked when you inferred that I wasn't from Wyoming. Dakota? Seriously? I also liked when you decided that I was a republican for thinking that a woman doesn't have to change her last name when she gets married. I'm also not sure what prairie dogs have to do with anything.
Your political understanding of the state of Wyoming is just adorable.

Your individual political identity is especially interesting. It's confusing to me that you hold such liberal views and at the same time manage to be such a chauvinist. Like I said, adorable. "

Rance wrote on Jul 23, 2008 5:26 AM:

" Ummm ... Really ... I think DAKOTA "implied" you were from out of state ( and you are ). You are the one who "inferred" what he was saying. Those words aren't that big, so I can't figure out why you're miusing them - unless, of course, you don't know what they mean. But that's so cute. Another little person wanting to play grown-up. "

DAKOTA wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:31 AM:

" The wager was with Cmon, or don't you read so good? Oh wait a minute, you're the same guy. Yet you didn't know what Lummis' last name was until someone else answered my question for you. Sorry pal, unlike how it probably is wherever you're employed, but there ain't no money for cheaters who can't do their own work. "

Friend of Cmon wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:07 AM:

" Dakota, I never really expected to see that hundred bucks. Cheneys like you never really deliver. All rims. No engine. "

Okay so... wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:36 AM:

" Hey Rance... I am confused as to why you think people that aren't from Wyoming would even care about this primary. In fact a better question is why on earth would they bother to read the Casper Star Tribune considering their own state probably has a better newspaper

Also by the by if you look up the word infer it means to hint; imply; suggest; guess; or speculate and that is exactly what DAKOTA was doing and what you also did about the whereabouts of Really. So way to go on incorrectly challenging somebody on their use of the English language. Turns out you also appear to be "another little person wanting to play grown-up"... Good Try. "

Really wrote on Jul 23, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Dearest Rance,

It's ironic and wonderful that you decided to criticize me for my diction (that means word choice sweetie), and then have the audacity to correct me.

Perhaps if you were literate I wouldn't have to explain this to you. You see, infer means to deduce or conclude. A good example of this would be when Dakota "inferred" that I was from out of state through the contents of one of my posts. Now here's when it gets confusing, so pay close attention snuggle muffin. The implying happened when Dakota "implied" that I was from out of state near the conclusion of his/her post.

But like you said, the words aren't that big, so I'm sure that little explanation was a cake walk for someone of your intellectual capacity and stature.

As for you Dakota, seriously, that's all you have left? That was post and posts ago. Perhaps you realized you were wrong about some of your more recent positions?

Oh, and the out of state thing! I'd nearly forgotten. Well, if I were from out of state, I wouldn't waste my time talking about Wyoming races. Believe me! The state only has one Rep. in the House, and she hasn't even shown up to vote for years! Also, the fact that you have to stoop so low is more evidence that you don't have any substantive criticism about my viewpoints. "

Rance wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:01 AM:

" Please don't continue to get all wrapped around the axel on the distinction between those 2 words, it's going to make your brain hurt even more and just makes you look stupider. You weren't even close with your feeble come back(s). But please don't try again. Thus far in this post alone I've counted your use of 8 different names to try and impress people. Sorry little boy, it ain't workin'. "

Really wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:50 PM:

" So I guess it would be fair to assume that you're still confused by the difference between those two words. That's alright though, our society wouldn't function if we were all smart enough to hold jobs that required critical thinking skills and the ability to understand the things we've read. The parts have to be the parts! Some of the parts have to serve fries to the rest of us so the big machine keeps on workin!

But for the love of God! Please don't vote. I can't even imagine you trying to beat your way through ballot initiatives. Terrifying.

I'd also like to take a moment to remind all the good readers of these comments how my fruitful and rewarding conversation with Rance started.

Rance thinks that women have to change their last names when they get married because his great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and his wife all did it! It's all he knows, thus it's all there is, and it's only right. The world's a confusing place to our friend Rance.

I'd imagine that he'd also be confused by the fact that many families get by for generations without ever having a father, not even once Rance, who physically (nudge nudge wink wink) disciplines his children at that special time every night! "

Little Ronnie wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:46 PM:

" To Really, the conversation started about Wyoming values. One only needs to scroll up to see that. You sure do smell a lot like a little pre-pubescent rotund twerp who called himself Factoid from last summer. He spent his whole summer posting comments and attacking people from his mom's computer instead of going outside to play - exactly like you're doing now. He pretended like he knew a lot too, just like you're doing now. But when school started in the Fall, his nonsense all but disappeared from these pages. So, once again, those of us wishing to create a legitimate marketplace of ideas are looking forward to September when you will go away, once again. "

Really wrote on Jul 25, 2008 1:17 PM:

" 1. If you think this place even has the potential to be a “legitimate market place of ideas” perhaps you haven’t been paying attention for as long as you’d like to think. These comment boards are places dedicated to nothing more than widely uninformed people posting their widely uninformed perceptions of issues, and their attempts at humor, sarcasm, and the eventual decline into semantics debates and name-calling. People seem to like the name calling the best. Accusing people from being from out of state, in attempt to delegitimize them somehow, also seems to be something nearly every disgruntled poster is guilty of. Is this constructive discourse?

2. Even if this conversation had begun in the romantic place you allude to, which it didn’t, look how quickly it deteriorated. I drug this whole conversation into the mud quickly by teeing off on some posters who spend their time in this “market place of ideas” making off hand comments about women (Congressional Candidate Cynthia Lummis in this case) who don’t change their last names and imply God knows what about this. Is this really an issue that should influence how a person should vote? No! People should support candidates over the issues and ideals, not something as silly as a maiden name!

3. HAHAHAHA! I am factoid! But here’s where you’re wrong, it’s my computer, my mother just paid for it. Also my testicles have descended you big meany head!

4 (And Finally) And in all honestly, when I got involved I just wanted to pick a fight over a relatively small issue to see were it could go. I feel that at least two people have to be involved to take a conversation to where this has gone (unless, of course, one person argues with him/herself under different posting names, which is really just silly, and not rewarding). I find it interesting that you ostracize me and let everyone else be. I merely pointed out the absolute absurdity of this place, and had some laughs along the way. "

Timmothy S. wrote on Jul 26, 2008 5:09 PM:

" Why don't you get a life then "really" if all your care about is playing games on these posts then get the F**K out. Maybe I don't know a thing about politics and maybe no one else does either, but why continue to waste our time with silly debates? Thats the dumbest thing I have read in any blog in my entire life seriously. Your antics are childish. Maybe it is you who is not a grown up becasue you won't talk issues, all you can do is make up dumbass arguments. "

Really wrote on Jul 27, 2008 9:25 PM:

" Point one third sentence "...People seem to like name calling the best."

Way to go! "

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