Trump Backed Wyoming Law to Close Primaries — What That Means for the WVGOP Primary Fight

President Donald Trump has signaled his support for efforts in other states to close partisan primaries so that only registered party members decide who advances to the general election. In Wyoming, Trump formally backed Senate File 97, legislation introduced by Republican state Sen. Bo Biteman to stop so‑called “crossover voting” in primary elections. Trump called the bill “critically important,” saying it “ensures that the voters in each party will separately choose their nominees for the General Election, which is how it should be!” and that it “makes total sense that only Democrats vote in the Democrat primary and only Republicans vote in the Republican primary,” adding that the bill has his “complete and total endorsement and support.”

The Wyoming bill was a direct response to concerns among GOP leaders that non‑Republicans — including Democrats and independents — were participating in Republican primaries to influence outcomes, especially in contests where Trump‑aligned candidates faced off against establishment opponents (such as when Trump‑backed Harriet Hageman challenged Liz Cheney).

West Virginia is currently wrestling with its own primary reform debate. In 2024, the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee voted to close primaries to registered GOP members. That change is set to take effect for the 2026 election cycle. Meanwhile, the Monongalia County Republican Executive Committee has passed a resolution calling on state party leaders to reopen the May 2026 primary to independents.

The clash in our state mirrors the discussion in Wyoming: Should primaries be limited to partisan members, or should independents have a say? Like Trump said in Wyoming — only party members should decide nominees, as this preserves ideological purity and prevents strategic crossover voting by non‑members. Republicans should get to decide Republican elections.