James Byrd
Wyoming Democratic Senate nominee?
$6.8K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age72 years old (Mar 14, 1954)
GenderMale
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LocationWyoming
BackgroundPolitician
EducationAttended, Laramie County Community College
Notable personal detailsJames Willard Byrd is an American politician and former Democratic member of the Wyoming House of Representatives, representing District 44 from 2009 to 2019. He was minority whip (2013–2015) and later served as minority caucus chair/leader (2015–2016). Byrd announced a run for the U.S. Senate in Wyoming in February 2026 and filed with the FEC as a Democratic candidate for the 2026 election. His professional background includes work in information technology/networking and energy-related geophysics roles.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Byrd has emphasized diversifying Wyoming’s economy through value-added energy products and argued that doing so would bring jobs and tax revenues to the state. In his legislative work, he also pushed to significantly raise the minimum wage, saying it would help local economies.
Healthcare
Byrd emphasizes healthcare access as a core public need and has said healthcare is the bedrock of a strong and thriving community. He has also said he wants to secure the financial stability of Wyoming’s rural healthcare infrastructure and that a person’s zip code should not determine access to a doctor.
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Immigration & Border
James Byrd supports working on immigration issues but rejects the current approach as morally and ethically wrong. His publicly documented comments indicate a preference for reform rather than enforcement-first policy.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
James Byrd’s public campaign materials emphasize healthcare access and affordability but do not state a clear position on abortion or reproductive rights. A 2026 Wyoming Senate race summary also describes him as saying personal healthcare decisions should remain private, which suggests privacy-oriented views without specifying support for abortion access or restrictions.
Climate & Energy
James Byrd’s campaign emphasizes energy independence, support for miners and energy workers, and a sustainable future that keeps reliable energy in Wyoming. The available public messaging does not give a clear climate-policy agenda or specific position on emissions, fossil-fuel phaseout, or renewable-energy mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
James Byrd says he does not care how many guns or how much ammunition people have, but wants firearms kept locked up. He frames the issue as one of personal responsibility and says government is close to encroaching on rights.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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