Cynthia Lummis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cynthia Lummis
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Official portrait, 2020
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| United States Senator from Wyoming |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2021 Serving with John Barrasso
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| Preceded by | Mike Enzi |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming's at-large district |
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| In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Cubin |
| Succeeded by | Liz Cheney |
| 27th Treasurer of Wyoming | |
| In office January 4, 1999 – January 9, 2007 |
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| Governor | Jim Geringer Dave Freudenthal |
| Preceded by | Stan Smith |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Meyer |
| Member of the Wyoming Senate from the 5th district |
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| In office January 14, 1993 – January 10, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Harriet Elizabeth Byrd |
| Succeeded by | Don Lawler |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from the Laramie County district |
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| In office January 7, 1985 – January 14, 1993 |
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| In office January 8, 1979 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Multi-member district |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Cynthia Marie Lummis
September 10, 1954 Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Alvin Wiederspahn
(m. 1983; died 2014) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Wyoming (BS, JD) |
| Signature |  |
Cynthia Lummis (/ˈlʌmɪs/ LUH-miss; born September 10, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician. She is currently a U.S. Senator for Wyoming, a role she has held since 2021. She is a member of the Republican Party.
Before becoming a U.S. Senator, Lummis served in the United States House of Representatives for Wyoming from 2009 to 2017. She also held several important positions in Wyoming's state government. These included serving in the Wyoming House of Representatives (1979–1983 and 1985–1993), the Wyoming Senate (1993–1995), and as the Treasurer of Wyoming (1999–2007).
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Early Life and Education
Cynthia Marie Lummis was born on September 10, 1954, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Her parents were Doran Lummis and Enid Bennett. Her family has a long history in Wyoming, arriving there in 1868. Her father was involved in local politics, leading the Laramie County Republican Party.
Cynthia Lummis went to Cheyenne East High School. She then studied at the University of Wyoming. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science in 1976. She also received a Bachelor of Science in biology in 1978. Later, in 1985, she earned a law degree (Juris Doctor) from the same university.
Political Career
Cynthia Lummis has had a long career in public service. She has worked at both the state and national levels.
Serving in the Wyoming State Legislature
Lummis started her political journey in 1978. At just 24 years old, she was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives. This made her the youngest woman to serve in Wyoming's state legislature at that time. She was reelected in 1980. After a short break, she returned to the state house in 1984 and served until 1993.
In 1992, Lummis successfully ran for a seat in the Wyoming Senate. She won against the incumbent Democratic Senator, Harriet Elizabeth Byrd. During her time in the state house, she led the Revenue committee. She also served on the Judiciary and Agriculture committees. In the state senate, she was on the Judiciary Committee.
Wyoming State Treasurer
In 1998, Cynthia Lummis was elected Treasurer of Wyoming. This role involves managing the state's money. She was reelected for a second term in 2002 without anyone running against her.
As Treasurer, Lummis made changes that helped the state's finances. For example, she increased the interest rate on money held in Wyoming banks. This helped reduce the state's budget deficit. During her time, Wyoming's Permanent Mineral Trust Fund, which holds money from mineral resources, grew to over $2 billion.
United States House of Representatives
In 2008, Lummis ran for the United States House of Representatives to represent Wyoming. She won the election, becoming a U.S. Representative. She was reelected three more times, serving from 2009 to 2017.
During her time in the House, Lummis served on important committees. These included the Agriculture Committee and the Appropriations Committee. She was the first representative from Wyoming to serve on the Agriculture Committee since 1941. She also chaired the Science Subcommittee on Energy. Lummis was also part of several groups, like the Congressional Western Caucus and the Freedom Caucus. She also co-chaired the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues.
In 2015, Lummis decided not to run for reelection. She was succeeded by Liz Cheney.
United States Senate
In 2019, Cynthia Lummis announced she would run for a seat in the United States Senate. She wanted to succeed Senator Mike Enzi, who was retiring. She won the election in 2020. This made her the first woman to represent Wyoming in the U.S. Senate.
As a U.S. Senator, Lummis serves on several key committees. These include the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Political Views
Cynthia Lummis holds conservative political views.
Energy and Environment
Lummis has stated that she believes the science on climate change is "not settled." She supports developing nuclear power and allowing oil drilling in Alaska.
Equality
Lummis has supported the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This amendment aims to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. She also worked to name a federal building in Cheyenne after Louisa Swain, who was the first woman to vote in the United States.
Foreign Policy
Lummis supported the U.S. presence in Iraq for a time. She believed soldiers should stay until military leaders advised otherwise. She also voted to lift the travel ban and restrictions on agricultural products to and from Cuba. However, she opposed U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war, saying it should be handled by countries in the Arab world.
Firearms
Lummis is a strong supporter of gun rights. She has received high ratings and endorsements from gun rights organizations. She voted in favor of allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.
Health Care
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Lummis has supported allowing private insurance companies to offer plans across state lines. She voted against the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, when it was passed in 2009. She has continued to support efforts to change or remove the ACA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she opposed adding unruly airline passengers to a "no-fly" list for not following mask rules. She said these passengers are different from terrorists.
Personal Life
Cynthia Lummis met Alvin Wiederspahn while they were both campaigning in 1978. They married in 1983. Both Lummis and Wiederspahn served in the Wyoming House of Representatives. Interestingly, Lummis was a Republican, and Wiederspahn was a Democrat. They had one child together. Alvin Wiederspahn passed away in 2014.
Cynthia Lummis is a Lutheran and belongs to the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
Images for kids
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Results of the 2008 U.S. House election in Wyoming. Lummis won in most counties.
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Official portrait of Cynthia Lummis, 2020.
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Signature of Cynthia Lummis.
