Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray Announces Congressional Run
Chuck Gray, the Republican Secretary of State for Wyoming, declared on Monday his intention to run for Congress. This move comes after U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman, who recently opted to pursue a Senate seat, stepped down. Gray, a noted supporter of former President Donald Trump, mentioned that his decision followed deeply personal moments of prayer and dialogues with voters throughout the state.
“I’m running for Congress to keep fighting for the Wyoming way of life,” Gray stated in a press release. “With Harriet Hageman aiming for the Senate, Wyoming needs someone who can carry on her legacy, advocate for our shared values, and push forward the Trump administration’s policies, which have resulted in historic victories in the last three presidential elections.”
In his announcement video, Gray characterized himself as embodying “tough Wyoming” and “America First.” He pledged to tighten restrictions on Chinese influence in the U.S., label drug smugglers as “terrorists,” reject what he calls the left’s “woke” energy agenda, defend women’s sports, and deport all undocumented immigrants.
“If you choose me, believe me, they’ll notice,” he said in the video.
Since winning the secretary of state position in 2022, Gray has been a vocal advocate for election integrity. He supervised the introduction of several conservative reforms, including requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, banning ranked-choice voting, and imposing restrictions on foreign contributions to campaigns.
Additionally, he took measures to reduce third-party involvement in election processes and supported initiatives aimed at preventing crossover voting in Republican primaries.
“My record clearly shows that I keep my promises,” Gray emphasized. “In Congress, my priorities will be securing our borders, boosting Wyoming’s energy sector, decreasing costs for families, and safeguarding the Second Amendment.”
Gray gained wider recognition in 2023 due to his outspoken stance against efforts to disqualify Trump from the election via the 14th Amendment. He was the only secretary of state to file an amicus brief directly supporting Trump’s eligibility at the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I stood firm when many political insiders turned away from President Trump,” Gray noted. “I championed his cause and that of the American people, because ultimately, it’s the voters who decide elections, not extremists lurking in the legal system.”
His campaign highlighted several national conservative accolades he has received, including honors from CPAC, the Growth Club, and Wyoming Right to Life. Additionally, internal research suggests Gray is currently leading against potential primary challengers.
Harriet Hageman, who is campaigning for the Senate seat previously held by Liz Cheney, expressed her support for Trump and a commitment to sensible energy independence. Notably, Cheney lost her seat to Hageman in the 2022 primary after diverging from party lines and criticizing Trump.
Gray reiterated his stance on essential issues, emphasizing the need to eliminate wind subsidies and combat what he terms the “Green Mob.” He also expressed his intent to advocate for the SAVE Act, which aims to implement proof of citizenship requirements in voter registration across all states.
