
File - In this May 29, 2018 file photo, Wyoming Democratic candidate for governor Mary Throne speaks at a campaign rally in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Throne is Wyoming Democrats' best-known gubernatorial candidate and best shot at reclaiming the governor's office in a dozen years. (AP Photo/Mead Gruver, File)
A Democratic governor in Wyoming? It could happen _ again
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Democrats have their best shot in a dozen years of reclaiming the governor's office in one of the reddest states.
Politically moderate energy-industry attorney Mary Throne easily won Wyoming's Democratic gubernatorial primary Tuesday. She faces Republican State Treasurer Mark Gordon in the general election.
Throne politically is a lot like Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a popular moderate who served from 2003-2011.
Voters registered as Republicans in Wyoming outnumber registered Democrats by more than 5 to 1. But many Democrats in Wyoming register as Republicans to vote in more consequential primaries.
Some say Democrats have hidden influence in Wyoming — one that in the past has given the advantage to centrist candidates like Throne.
Democrats have held Wyoming's governor's office 32 of the last 55 years.