OPINION
CHEYENNE — Former Senate President Ogden Driskill (R - Devils Tower), a fourth-generation rancher who recently reversed his decision to retire, is facing sharp criticism as he enters a heavyweight 2026 re-election battle against Rep. Chip Neiman (R-Hulett).
While Driskill frequently leans on his family's deep roots to delegitimize political opponents as outsiders, his recent legislative record suggests a significant disconnect between his rhetoric and his actions. The most glaring example is his aggressive lobbying to secure $15 million in state funds to lure the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and its ProRodeo Hall of Fame to Cheyenne from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Driskill, who represents Senate District 1, has often framed the growing conservative wing of the party as a collection of newcomers and "carpetbaggers" who have no right to change Wyoming's political landscape. Yet, during the 2026 budget session, he championed Senate File 124, describing the $15 million taxpayer incentive for the Colorado-based PRCA as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." This state investment, matched by another $15 million from the economic development group Cheyenne LEADS, was included in the $9.9 billion biennial budget recently sent to the governor.
The $15 million appropriation faced fierce resistance from conservative lawmakers who argued that the state should not be "picking winners and losers" or providing massive handouts to multimillion-dollar corporations. Critics pointed out the irony in Driskill’s position: he argues that individuals moving to Wyoming for political reasons should be silenced, yet he is willing to spend millions in public funds to recruit an outside organization to relocate to the capital city.
This has led many to question whether Driskill believes outsiders only deserve a voice in Wyoming after they have been "bought" with state tax dollars.
Beyond the financial controversy, Driskill’s alignment with the Republican Party platform has come under renewed scrutiny. In a recent interview with Cowboy State Daily, Driskill admitted he does not support the abortion bans passed by the legislature in recent years, labeling four years of "failed efforts" to enact such protections as "counterproductive." Notably, he has voted multiple times against pro-life measures and has failed to suggest any alternative path that aligns with the GOP platform’s stated commitment to the sanctity of life.
Driskill’s apparent drift from core party principles was further highlighted by his public endorsement of a social media post by Gail Symons. Symons, often characterized by conservative critics as a Democrat operating within Republican circles, authored an op-ed titled "What Wyoming Conservatism Actually Meant."
Driskill shared the piece, stating he could relate to its message after decades of service in the party establishment. The post quickly became an echo chamber for the state’s political left, with prominent Democrats like 2020 U.S. Senate candidate Merav Ben-David telling Driskill he should be "proud" to be called a liberal and that the label is a "badge of honor."
The feedback from Driskill’s own social media circle reflects a constituency that often appears more aligned with the Democratic minority than the Republican base. Supporters on his page have routinely used labels like "WINO" (Wyoming in Name Only) to dismiss platform-aligned conservatives, while Driskill himself has broad-brushed the Freedom Caucus as "clumsy" and "anti-business."
However, the data from multiple legislative vote tracking websites and the 2026 budget session show a different reality. While Driskill was busy securing $15 million for a Colorado-based museum, his colleagues were focused on addressing the immediate concerns of Wyoming residents, such as property tax relief and election integrity.
The 2026 primary will likely serve as a referendum on this "establishment first" approach to governance. Voters in Crook, Weston, and Campbell counties will have to decide if 40 years of service is a valid excuse for ignoring the party platform and using taxpayer money to recruit outsiders while disparaging the voices of fellow citizens who choose to call Wyoming home. The simple question remains: if Driskill is so concerned about outsiders changing Wyoming, why is he the one paying them to move here?