Cynthia Lummis

Cynthia Lummis
U.S. Senate Photographic Studio · Public domain · source
Name	Cynthia Lummis
Caption	Official portrait, 2021
State	Wyoming
Jr/sr	Senior Senator
Alongside	John Barrasso
Term start	January 3, 2021
Predecessor	Mike Enzi
State1	Wyoming
District1	At-large
Term start1	January 3, 2009
Term end1	January 3, 2017
Predecessor1	Barbara Cubin
Successor1	Liz Cheney
Office2	Wyoming House of Representatives
Term start2	1979
Term end2	1983
Office3	Wyoming Senate
Term start3	1985
Term end3	1995
Office4	Wyoming State Treasurer
Term start4	1999
Term end4	2007
Party	Republican
Spouse	Alvin Wiederspahn, 1983, 2014
Education	University of Wyoming (BS, JD)
Website	lummis.senate.gov

Cynthia Lummis is an American politician and attorney serving as the senior United States Senator from Wyoming since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served as the U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2009 to 2017. Lummis has held numerous state offices, including in the Wyoming House of Representatives, the Wyoming Senate, and as Wyoming State Treasurer.

Early life and education

Cynthia Lummis was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and was raised on a ranch near Cheyenne. She attended Cheyenne Central High School before enrolling at the University of Wyoming. At the University of Wyoming, she earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science and later a Juris Doctor from the University of Wyoming College of Law. Her early experiences in Wyoming's agricultural community profoundly shaped her political perspectives.

Early career

After completing her legal education, Lummis worked in private practice and served as an attorney for the United States Department of the Interior. She began her political career in 1979 when she was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives, representing Laramie County. She later served in the Wyoming Senate from 1985 to 1995. Following her legislative service, she was elected as the Wyoming State Treasurer, serving two terms from 1999 to 2007, where she managed the state's investment portfolio.

U.S. House of Representatives

In the 2008 election, Lummis was elected to the United States House of Representatives, succeeding Republican Barbara Cubin. She took office in January 2009 and was reelected three times. During her tenure, she served on the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. A staunch conservative, she was a member of the Republican Study Committee and the House Freedom Caucus, advocating for reduced federal spending and states' rights.

U.S. Senate

Lummis announced her candidacy for the United States Senate in 2019 following the retirement of Republican Senator Mike Enzi. She won the 2020 election decisively, becoming the first woman to represent Wyoming in the United States Senate. Upon taking office in 2021, she was assigned to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. She has been a prominent voice on financial technology policy and cryptocurrency regulation.

Political positions

Lummis is a conservative Republican with a strong libertarian streak, particularly on issues of fiscal policy and federal land management. She is a proponent of the Second Amendment, opposes abortion, and supports expansive energy development on federal lands, including in the Powder River Basin. She co-sponsored the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act, a major bipartisan framework for regulating digital assets. She has consistently received high ratings from organizations like the American Conservative Union and the National Rifle Association.

Personal life

Lummis was married to attorney and former state senator Alvin Wiederspahn from 1983 until his death in 2014; they have one daughter. An avid outdoorswoman, she is a member of the National Cutting Horse Association and participates in ranching activities. She is a member of the St. Mary's Cathedral parish in Cheyenne. Her personal wealth, largely derived from ranching and investments, has occasionally placed her among the wealthier members of Congress. Category:1954 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Wyoming Category:United States senators from Wyoming Category:Wyoming Republicans Category:Wyoming state treasurers Category:University of Wyoming alumni Category:Women state treasurers in the United States