Tag: Gary Trauner

What word, I wondered, should I use to refer to people from that city. Some states that are dominated by a single party, like California and its Democratic supermajority, use a so-called “top two” primary system where candidates from both parties appear on the primary ballot and two advance to the general election. Often that means two Democrats run against each other in the general election, but proponents say that makes far more sense than a Democrat who received 100,000 votes in the primary facing a Republican who received 5,000. His donations to Democrats, including Gary Trauner in a Wyoming U.S. House seat and John Kerry for president, became an issue in his own House race against Cynthia Lummis 10 years ago. Gordon is, obviously, a Republican. “But I don’t think it could give him anything even close to a fatal blow.” “In the general election it could almost be an asset.” Others, like GOP consultant Liz Brimmer, said that past contributions to Democratic candidates would make Gordon stick out in the race -- and not in a good way, perhaps working against the leg up he has as a candidate with significant name recognition in Wyoming. “You’re running in a Republican primary in a very conservative, red state.” Gordon has not donated to any Democrats since the 2008 run against Lummis and before that time he was contributing to a mix of candidates from both parties. Gordon donated to both Sullivan and Thomas -- and both contributions were made following the general election in order to help the candidates retire campaign debt. “And when he knows and respects someone, he has stepped up to help.” Walker also pointed out that 90 percent of Gordon’s political donations have gone toward Republicans -- at an amount totaling nearly $80,000 -- and have included the state Republican party, the national Republican party, Enzi, John Barrasso, Mitt Romney and John McCain. He points to the decision by the Republican Central Committee, “which is a very conservative group of people,” to shortlist Gordon for appointment as treasurer in 2012.