State Rep. Chuck Gray to run against Cheney in GOP primary

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - Wyoming state Rep. Chuck Gray announced on Thursday he will run against U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney in the 2022 Republican primary for the state's at-large district.

Gray, who announced his run on social media and in a statement, becomes the latest challenger that will seek to unseat the congresswoman after she voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.

"It's time for a leader who actually listens to the hard-working people of Wyoming, and not to the D.C. elitists," Gray said in a tweet. "Join me on my journey as I seek the Republican nomination for the United States Congress."

The conservative Republican from Casper filed relevant paperwork on Monday with the Federal Elections Commission.

Gray has served as a state lawmaker representing House District 57 since 2017 and has prided himself as a Trump ally.

He had called Cheney's vote to impeach Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection as "disgraceful." Gray also pressed for her resignation and censorship.

The Wyoming Republican Party had voted to censure her in February, as did many county-level parties.

Trump's allies in Congress have pushed for a challenger who can oust Cheney, who is the third-highest ranking Republican in the House.

State Sen. Anthony Bouchard announced in January his intention to run against Cheney in the primary.