Liz Cheney

Liz Cheney won the election to represent Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives. She succeeded Cynthia Lummis and became the sole representative of Wyoming, as the state has a single at-large congressional district. Cheney, a Republican, ran on a platform focusing on energy policies, advocating for the fossil fuel industry which is important in Wyoming, and national security issues. Her election marked the continuation of the Cheney family's political legacy, her father being former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Liz Cheney was elected as the House Republican Conference Chair, making her the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives. This position was significant as it placed her in charge of the communications strategy for the House Republican caucus. Her election to this role was seen as a testament to her leadership abilities and her influence within the Republican Party, elevating her national profile. Cheney's role involved uniting the party's message and planning strategy against the Democratic majority in the House.

On January 13, 2021, Liz Cheney was one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump for his role in inciting the January 6th Capitol riot. Her vote was a significant departure from party lines and made her the highest-ranking House Republican to support impeachment. Cheney stated that her decision was based on the president's violation of his oath of office, describing the attack on the Capitol as unprecedented and an insurrection. This move drew both support and criticism, sharply dividing opinions about her within the GOP.

Following her vote to impeach President Trump and her sustained criticism of his false claims about the 2020 election, Liz Cheney was removed from her position as House Republican Conference Chair on May 12, 2021. The decision reflected deep divisions within the Republican Party between Trump's supporters and those critical of his influence. Cheney's ousting was seen as a sign of the increasing alignment of the GOP leadership with Trump's views, and it marked a significant shift in Cheney's political trajectory as she pledged to continue speaking out against Trump's election claims.

On July 1, 2021, Liz Cheney was named to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Her appointment by Speaker Nancy Pelosi was notable, as Cheney was one of only two Republicans on the committee, along with Adam Kinzinger. This committee was tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the Capitol riot and the actions leading up to it. Cheney's role on the committee further showcased her willingness to break ranks with her party to pursue what she regarded as accountability for the events of January 6.

Liz Cheney lost the Republican primary for Wyoming's at-large congressional district to Harriet Hageman, a candidate backed by former President Donald Trump. The primary campaign was heavily influenced by Cheney's outspoken criticism of Trump, particularly her role in the January 6th impeachment proceedings and her participation in the House committee investigating the Capitol riot. Cheney's defeat was widely viewed as a reflection of Trump's continuing grip on the Republican Party and the shift in voter sentiment in Wyoming against her brand of Republicanism.

Following her primary defeat, Liz Cheney vowed to continue her political efforts by campaigning against figures who denied the results of the 2020 presidential election. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that such individuals do not hold positions of power where they could undermine democratic processes in future elections. Her intent marked a new phase in her career dedicated to defending democratic principles and holding to account those who, in her view, threaten the electoral system. Cheney's commitment to this cause underscores her departure from Trump-centric Republican politics.

In October 2022, Liz Cheney was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her staunch defense of democracy and the Constitution in her work on the January 6th Committee and in opposing former President Donald Trump. The award is given to public officials who demonstrate politically courageous leadership. Cheney's award recognized her willingness to take significant political risks in upholding the truth and the rule of law, even at the cost of her political career. This accolade highlighted the broader impact of her actions beyond partisan divisions.