Republican lawmakers in Wyoming have elected new leadership for the upcoming legislative session, with Sen. Bo Biteman chosen as the nominee for Senate President and Rep. Chip Neiman named as the nominee for House Speaker.
These selections come as the state’s GOP-controlled legislature prepares for the 2025 general session, with leadership nominations expected to be officially confirmed when the legislature convenes.
During a Republican caucus held in Casper on Saturday, Biteman, along with Sens. Tim Salazar and Tara Nethercott, were selected as nominees for Senate President, Vice President, and Majority Floor Leader, respectively. This trio will replace current Senate leadership, with Biteman taking over from retiring Senate President Ogden Driskill.
Biteman, who has served in the Wyoming Legislature since 2017, has been an active member of several committees, including Education and School Facilities, and is currently chair of the Senate Revenue Committee. In a statement following his nomination, Biteman expressed his gratitude and commitment to fostering collaboration and civility within the Senate. He also highlighted his focus on supporting Wyoming’s energy industries and reducing regulations to benefit the state’s economy, particularly under a potential return of President Donald Trump to the White House.
Salazar, who has represented Riverton in the Senate since 2017, was nominated for Senate Vice President. Known for his work on pro-life and pro-Second Amendment issues, Salazar also led the successful sponsorship of the Wyoming PRIME Act, which allows residents to purchase homegrown meat without government interference. Salazar is recognized for his efforts to cut wasteful spending and advocate for property tax relief.
Nethercott, who represents Cheyenne, was nominated as Majority Floor Leader, making her the first woman to hold the role since 2016. Having chaired key committees such as Senate Judiciary and Senate Appropriations, Nethercott has been a driving force behind legislation to restrict foreign ownership of land, improve anti-trust laws for farmers, and provide property tax relief.
In the House of Representatives, Rep. Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, was elected as the nominee for Speaker, succeeding Rep. Albert Sommers. Neiman, who has been in the Legislature since 2021, has been involved in various committees, including Education, Management Council, and Rules. Neiman has been an advocate for bills that restrict abortion access, prohibit gender-affirming care for minors, and repeal gun-free zones.
Other House leadership nominees include Rep. Scott Heiner of Green River as Majority Floor Leader, Rep. Jeremy Haroldson of Wheatland as Speaker Pro Tempore, and Rep. Ocean Andrew of Laramie as Majority Whip. All of these nominees have garnered support from the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, a group of hard-line Republicans, whose influence has grown in the Legislature following the 2024 election cycle.
With the nominations confirmed by the GOP caucus, the Wyoming Legislature is expected to see a continuation of its shift toward more conservative policies. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus, which backed the Republican leadership slate, has been a significant force in pushing the state’s legislature further right. This alignment is seen as a response to both local and national political trends, with Wyoming remaining a reliably red state but moving even more firmly to the right under the influence of the Freedom Caucus.
Wyoming Business Report and WBUR contributed to this report.
