Laramie County GOP hopes for unified state Republican Party
CHEYENNE — Laramie County Republicans are hopeful new Wyoming GOP Chairman Bryan Miller will uphold his promise to heal relationships between the state and county Republican parties, members told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle this week.
Laramie County GOP Chairwoman Lorraine Quarberg, committeeman David Bush and committeewoman Linda Heath cast their votes Saturday in Cody as members of the state central committee for the new state GOP chair and vice chair.
Miller was elected to replace Frank Eathorne, who chose not to run for re-election, as chairman of the state Republican Party, and Bob Ferguson was elected as vice chairman.
Heath said Miller’s strong background in Wyoming politics, including his service as a state central committee member and chairman of the Sheridan County GOP, will “be beneficial to him.”
“He’s been there and, as you could say, been in the trenches for a long time,” Heath said. “As far as leadership is concerned, that’s a key component for anyone who becomes the chairman of the Republican Party.”
Both Laramie County committee persons said they hope the state GOP will unify its Republican membership under Miller and become a place of acceptance, rather than divisiveness and judgment.
Heath said she’d like to see the state GOP focus on healing relationships with its county parties and welcoming a diverse range of perspectives. Laramie County is one of the more diverse areas in Wyoming, she said, and all voices should be welcomed.
“There’s got to be some healing. There’s got to be some listening to all sides,” Heath said. “Not one group is going to be right all the time, and I think we need to have civil conversation and discussion moving forward.”
Bush said he also hopes Miller will change “the tone and the way the state party operates.”
The state GOP has grown divisive in recent years as the hardline Freedom Caucus has gained influence and power, and failed to fairly represent all perspectives of Wyoming Republicans, he added.
“The state party needs to focus on gaining credibility with Republicans across the state,” Bush said.
Both he and Heath appreciated Miller’s theme of communication and inclusivity in his nomination speech, something they found to be lacking in the Wyoming Republican Party.
“There’s a piece of the state party that is broken … there’s just not a lot of room for debate, hasn’t over the past couple years,” Bush said. “And I saw it again at the meeting itself. Early on, it was just not welcome.”
The Laramie County GOP is more moderate than other counties, Bush said, but they’re still Republican. Speaking with other Republicans in Laramie County, he said many of them view the state party as having a “my way or the highway” mentality.
“Maybe Laramie County is more moderate than, say, Park County,” Bush said. “That doesn’t make us any less Republican.”
However, Bush and Heath said they had the chance to speak briefly with Miller on Saturday, and both were encouraged by their interactions with him and believe that he will guide the state party in a new, more inclusive direction.
When she and other central committee members spoke with Miller, Heath said the new party chairman promised not to “operate as an island” with the executive committee.
“There’s a lot of work that’s got to be done, to develop open communication without judgment within the party,” Heath said. “We need to see some healing, and I hope that Bryan is the man that can do it, and also with Bob Ferguson as vice chair, I hope they will work together toward that end.”
Quarberg did not respond to the WTE’s request for comment, and state party officials didn’t provide contact information for Miller.
This story was published on May 7, 2025.