David Iverson
David is the co-owner of The Open Range Record and the Owner and Host of Cowboy State Politics, Wyoming's most listened to political podcast. David has a degree in American history, is an Eagle Scout and a 3-time college national speech and debate champion.
Articles by David Iverson
- Barlow Supported Recreational Marijuana, Claims He NEVER Did.
Residents could legally cultivate as many as 12 mature flowering marijuana plants at their residences. It also authorized marijuana edibles, concentrates, and other cannabis products, along with licensed retail establishments selling marijuana directly to cons... - Iverson: Ertman's Preposterous Response
Ms. Ertman asks us to read the entire record. Agreed. Include his favorable votes. Include his explanation. Include the costs of his policies. And when reading his testimony, keep going to the conclusion. That is where Barlow told Congress he wanted Wyoming an... - It’s Not Just Iran: Why Wyoming Is Still Paying High Gas Prices
If supply tightens in one place, fuel can often be brought in from somewhere else. The Rockies do not have that luxury. There is no tanker waiting off the coast of Thermopolis. - Editorial: President Trump Can't Veto the First Amendment
Trump can dispute a story, produce contrary evidence, and demand a correction. If it’s defamation, test it in court. Throwing out three news outlets because he thinks they’re fake news is wrong. - Cowboy State Daily Makes False Claims About Iverson
Miller knew before his appearance on the CSD show that the claims he was going to make weren’t, at the very least, substantiated. He said so himself. - Western Declares the War on Coal Over. Wyoming Still Has the Law He Voted For.
There is an inconvenient piece of Wyoming history missing from Western's victory lap. While Cyrus Western triumphantly declared that the war on coal is over, he neglected to mention that the EPA’s rollback will not remove Wyoming’s own carbon-capture requireme... - The Muni: Top 5 Municipal Courses to Play This Fall
A municipal course isn’t Augusta National with lower green fees. It isn’t supposed to be. When the irrigation system needs work at a wealthy private club, a member can write a check. When a municipal course needs the same repair, it has to be in the budget. - "Wyoming Conservatism" Is a Knock-Off Stetson That'll Never Be the Real Thing
Wyoming may have its own landscape, its own industries, and its own political temperament. It does not have its own laws of logic, dictionary, or brand of conservatism. - Barlow’s Spokeswoman Leads Group Backed by Obama Campaign Veterans
Fitzgerald is the direct link between Barlow’s campaign and a network of former Barack Obama campaign and administration officials. For a candidate claiming to be a Wyoming Republican, that connection deserves far more attention than it has received. - Barlow Can't Deny His Own Record on Medicaid Expansion
Barlow voted repeatedly to advance Medicaid expansion numerous times, sponsored his own expansion bill, and authored an expansion amendment. These are simply Barlow's votes. - Sheridan County’s 5% Hand-Count Audit Set for Saturday
Saturday’s hand count will provide the first test in Sheridan County of the Legislature’s new 5% audit mandate. With Arzy calling for a random selection, attention will now fall not only on whether the hand count matches the electronic results, but also on how... - Sheridan Commishes Vote Not to Endorse Renaming of Peak after SGT Krinkee
There is no question that Krinkee deserves to be remembered. The debate was over whether Sheridan County’s highest point should carry only his name when the county has produced other men and women who also left their families, answered the call of duty and nev... - Reid's Endorsement That Never Was
The Election Day text was not an isolated misunderstanding. Whether the message originated directly with Rasner’s campaign or someone else, it relied on the same cultivated association Rasner had repeatedly used: place his name beside a prominent conservative,... - The Cowboy State Contradiction
Wyoming may still call itself the Cowboy State, but if its elected officials continue choosing dependency over independence, subsidies over free enterprise, and government management over personal responsibility, the title will become little more than the Repu... - Pulling Back the Curtain: Who's Really Behind the Wyoming Attack Ads
The same national financial network that has supported progressive Democrats, climate activists, labor organizations, and left-wing advocacy campaigns has now intervened in Wyoming’s Republican gubernatorial primary. - 2003 Barlow: We Must Move Beyond Fossil Fuels
He ended his testimony to Congress by declaring that America must “move beyond” nonrenewable energy and treat fossil fuels as a bridge to something else—not as resources upon which the nation should continue to rely. What cannot reasonably be argued is that th... - The Myth of "Christian Nationalism"
The idea that Christian political involvement is a recent or foreign intrusion into American life is historically absurd. Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans, and ministers from other traditions played an integral role in preparing Americans... - Connolly Conservatism: $1.241 Billion in New Spending
Connolly voted for approximately $1.241 billion in additional spending during the House’s consideration of HB 1. When House members were presented with opportunities to add, restore or expand spending, she repeatedly voted for amendments the combined fiscal im... - Barlow's Illegal Immigration Record Isn't That Complicated
Barlow voted to kill the legislation before that work was completed. With SF166, Wyoming had an opportunity to stand with states bearing the immediate cost of the border crisis. Barlow voted no. When illegal immigration demanded more than campaign rhetoric—whe... - Spending for Spending: AFP and Tyler Lindholms Big Government Record
In legislative districts, however, AFP has vastly increased campaign spending over previous years. Most of their messaging is either entirely misleading or completely disingenuous. The record of the person behind AFP’s campaigning, Tyler Lindholm, casts a long... - HD 30: Koltiska Had Campaign Signs on State Land in Clear Violation of Statute
In another case of “What if a conservative had done it?”, Wednesday, July 29, a video surfaced clearly showing a Ryan Koltiska for House District 30 sign on Wyoming State Trust land off Wyarno Road in Sheridan County. - Experience Shows as Mark Jennings Outclasses Ryan Koltiska in House District 30 Debate
By the end of the evening, Mark Jennings had demonstrated the depth of policy knowledge and legislative experience expected of a longtime legislator, while Ryan Koltiska often appeared to be auditioning for the job rather than showing he was ready to perform i... - Testing Procedure Failures Continue in Sheridan County
The election vault door was open. Voting machines were accessible, keys remained in the machines and no elections staff were present to supervise access. On Friday, observers also reported seeing security seals scattered throughout the room and election media—... - Who Actually Votes Against Wyoming Energy, AFP and the Candidates They Support
There is nothing inherently wrong with criticizing a candidate's record. Elections should include spirited debate, and voters deserve to know where candidates stand on important issues. The problem arises when campaign advertisements leave voters with an impre... - The Open Range Record Releases July 16 Debate Details
The High Plains Republican Primary Debate happens in 6 days, on July 16, 2026. - Candidates Set for July 16th High Plains Republican Primary Debate
The Open Range Record announces the candidates appearing at the High Plains Republican Primary Debate July 16th at the Rialto Theater in Casper. - Bien Releases White Paper on Repeal of Carbon Capture HB0200
In his white paper, Bien contends the legislation represents government interference in the energy market by forcing utilities to adopt expensive technology that has yet to prove commercially viable on a broad scale. He argues the mandate threatens the long-te... - An End to Energy Lip-Service: Brent Bien Launches Energy Agenda
Bien says his approach will be focused on protecting Wyoming’s coal, oil, and natural gas industries and reversing policies he believes have made it more difficult for those industries to compete. - Rebecca Bextel Wins Constitution Party Nomination, Adds New Dynamic to Wyoming Governor’s Race
Bextel’s nomination ensures Wyoming voters will have another choice — and the Republican primary will determine which vision heads into the November election. - Men of Valor: 5 Sheridan Veterans Honored with Quilts
As each quilt was presented, the ceremony highlighted the military service and personal sacrifices of the recipients. The colorful quilts, stitched by volunteers who donate countless hours to the effort, serve as lasting symbols of gratitude from a thankful na... - 2024 Flashback: Politics in the Speaker Pro-Tempore's Office
During the 2024 Budget Session, the Wyoming Caucus’s paid political consultant, lobbyist and PAC treasurer Rebekah Fitzgerald and another registered lobbyist walked in and out of legislative offices at will, numerous times for a solid week. - Weston County Clerk Saga Finally Comes to an End: Michael Tooman Selected
Tooman was the party's top choice among the three nominees submitted to fill the vacancy. Party leaders celebrated the decision, noting Tooman's extensive experience administering elections. - Steinmetz Calls for Legislative Poll on Special Session to Address Data Centers
Among the issues Steinmetz suggested lawmakers could examine during a special session are protections for Wyoming's water resources, groundwater supplies, and static water levels; electric reliability and ratepayer protections; responsibility for generation, t... - Weston Commissioners Fail to Select Candidate--Three Days Remain to Comply with Statute
At one point the commissioners asked Weston County Attorney Michael Stulken if they were required to select a replacement from the three candidates. He instructed them that according to statute they had to. The commissioners ignored his advice. - It's The Tomb That Proves It All
Had the stone been still in place and Jesus’ body been undisturbed, word would have spread rapidly that the Jewish priests and pharisees were right all along - Freedom Caucus Unveils Plan to Create Unity Inside Fractured Party
"If everyone is a Republican, then no one is secretly a Democrat pretending to be a Republican,” said caucus Chairwoman Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, unveiling a new membership policy - A Crowded Corral: Nine Candidates in Wyoming House Race
Candidates are largely appealing to the same bloc of voters, using the same language, and prioritizing the same national issues. That dynamic has left relatively little room for deeper discussion on topics that uniquely affect Wyoming. - WATCH: Brent Bien Live on Cowboy State Politics March 26 9am
Gubernatorial Candidate Brent Bien joins Cowboy State Politics Live March 26 - The $400.00 Campaign Donation That Raises Big Questions
"This isn’t to suggest the existence of a quid pro quo with any of these campaign donations but it certainly raises the specter of one." - Politics Over People: The Sheridan Press Uses Sgt Krinkee Photo for Politics
"The Sheridan Press used Krinkee’s picture to push a political narrative—to use the visceral reaction his picture evokes." - Wyoming Speaker of the House Chip Neiman Endorses Chuck Gray for U.S. House
I've worked with Chuck on many issues, including school choice, property tax relief, and election integrity, and he has shown his track record of effective conservative leadership time and time again. He has my complete and total support. - SF101, The Truth about what the Governor, Lobbyists and the Media are Saying-UPDATED
Ironically, a section of the Cowboy State Daily’s March 6 article is titled, “As Written.” It begins by quoting Senate President Dennis “Bo” Biteman when he said, “Read the bill!” The Cowboy State Daily clearly did not follow Biteman’s advice. - WATCH: David Interviews Natrona High Club America President Kylie Wall
Natrona County High School Club America President Kylie Wall sits down with David to discuss HB159, the ban on "viewpoint discrimination." HB159 would prohibit school officials from suppressing views with which they disagree. This is the same treatment Wall re... - Watch: The Roundup Episode 4, Feb 12, 2026
Join David as he breaks down the day's events. Guests: Rebecca Bextel and gubernatorial candidate Joseph Kibler - Biteman Allows Lobbyist Access to Senate Chamber
On several occasions throughout the legislative session Pazell has been seen physically present within the Senate chambers during session, and in the office of Senate President Bo Biteman. - Wyoming Business Council Omitted from Sheridan Commissioner Meeting Agenda
"The agenda for the Feb. 23rd gathering had one item listed: “Three Elephant Public Relations Presentation.” Some of the more frequent attendees to Sheridan County government events mused that perhaps the county was working on their image after “the flowerpot”... - WATCH: Cowboy State Politics--The Democrats' Failed Investigation with Rebecca Bextel 8AM
Democrats Karlee Provenza, Mike Yin, Liz Storer with the help of Matt Obrecht orchestrated the check controversy from the very beginning and yesterday's Special Investigative Committee proved it. - Updated: Wharff to Ask the Wyoming House to 'Reconsider' the School Recalibration Bill
The motion to suspend the rules to reconsider HB110 failed by a vote of 38-22. - Provenza, Yin with Help of Obrecht, Director of LSO, Violate Joint Rules in Check Incident
"It’s clear from the interview with Speaker Neiman that he had no knowledge of the motion that Rep Provenza would bring to the House floor." That's a clear violation of the Joint Rules - Johnson County Judge Gives Allemand Normal Bail Conditions
Considering the Wyoming Freedom Caucus animus in Wyoming’s media establishment, had this fact been known, it would have already been reported. Now that Allemand’s testing requirement has been reduced, his bail obligations will be even less obtrusive. - Manipulating the Truth: How an Amateur Tried to Deceive Wyoming
In a shocking display of political opportunism, a manipulated video was circulated purporting to show Sheridan Representative Ken Pendergraft saying, “I don’t want a bunch of businesses coming to this state.” The truth is almost completely the opposite. - No Fences, Only Open Range: iOS App is Available for Download
Today, The Open Range Record announces that our iOS App is available for download. This compliments the Android version we published a few weeks ago. - The Check on the House Floor
"In the end, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to create a committee to look into the events of Monday night after the session had concluded." - Wyoming Business Council Head: The Free Market Only Exists in Ivory Tower Type Institutions
“The free market, as an ideal, unfortunately doesn’t exist except at, you know, maybe those ivory tower type institutions that we might call academia, because that’s where it exists--because it’s a model.” - How Degenfelder Won Trump's Endorsement
Asked how the endorsement came about, Degenfelder said the Trump Administration had offered her a “high position in the Department of Education,” but she turned it down “because she wanted to stay in Wyoming." - Chuck Gray Gives 1st Post-Announce Interview to Cowboy State Politics
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray gave his first post-announcement interview to Cowboy State Politics. He and David discussed the race, all of the liberal votes on the SLIB Board and the media's obsession with Gorvernor Gordon running for a third term. - The Raises That Weren't Given
In a recent column, Chase Christensen, the Superintendent of Schools for Sheridan County School District 3, wrote, “Respect for teachers means paying them what they deserve.” I couldn’t agree more. The question is why didn’t Mr. Christensen’s school district d... - What is The Open Range Record?
"The Open Range Record brings you a news mobile app that is a return to the way news should be delivered--news that is news. What a novel concept!!."