Tensions rose in the Wyoming House of Representatives this week after Rep. John Bear (R-Gillette) published an opinion column accusing fellow lawmakers of being “lobbyist-legislator hybrids,” Oil City News reports.
His remarks sparked criticism from Rep. Steve Harshman (R-Casper) and others, fueling debate over legislative conduct and free speech.
On Monday morning, Harshman, a former two-time House Speaker, addressed the Wyoming Legislature regarding Bear’s article, which was published in multiple news outlets. Though he considered a formal reprimand, he instead used a House rule allowing members five minutes to speak on a personal matter.
“For the representative from Campbell County to sit down, write and submit an article to a statewide paper that states that members of this House are lobbyists is to impugn the motives of the members and accuse members of being financially interested in their vote,” Harshman said. “That’s a serious accusation.”
Harshman argued that such rhetoric damages the integrity of the Legislature and undermines respect for the institution. He also reflected on his own past missteps, including a 2021 incident when he apologized for cursing at a fellow legislator on a hot mic.
Following Harshman’s statement, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus—a conservative legislative group that Bear previously chaired—defended his column on social media.
“We are disturbed by the blatant disregard for the First Amendment embodied by a growing number of lawmakers in Wyoming who seek to silence criticism and dissent through reprimands and lawfare,” the Freedom Caucus wrote on X and Facebook.
Bear himself did not respond to Harshman’s comments on the House floor.
Bear’s column also drew criticism during a budget debate last week. While discussing an amendment to provide $40 million in wildfire recovery funds, Rep. Karlee Provenza (D-Laramie) pushed back against his characterization of legislators.
“This is a compromise, and that’s often what this body has done. And there’s a lot of value and weight in that at times. That doesn’t make me a lobbyist. That makes me a representative of my community,” Provenza said.
Bear has also faced scrutiny for previous statements. Earlier in the session, he released a press statement titled “There’s a new sheriff in town,” accusing Gov. Mark Gordon and past Joint Appropriations Committees of not following state spending laws. Harshman responded by questioning Bear’s understanding of the state constitution, particularly regarding public education funding.
