Wyoming’s ‘old man’ government isn’t just a myth (3/15/2026)

Dear Casper,

Recently, I read a letter to the editor asking whether it was true that old men are governing Wyoming. The letter then went on to list the positions women currently hold at the federal, state and local levels. I don’t dispute that women serve in these roles; they do. But when you look at the numbers, it is clear that Wyoming is still largely governed by men — and older men in particular.

First, let’s examine the number of women legislators. You can browse the Wyoming Legislature’s website and count for yourself, or visit the Center for American Women and Politics and see the data clearly laid out.

There are 62 representatives in the Wyoming House; 16 of them are women. That means only 25.6% of our representatives are women. In the Wyoming Senate, there are 31 members, and only seven are women. That’s a whopping 22.8%. While women do hold important roles in both chambers, they are still greatly outnumbered by men.

Now, let’s talk about age. I recognize the familiar sayings: “Age is just a number,” and “You’re only as old as you feel.” I understand the sentiment, but it’s still worth looking at the demographics of our legislature. According to Cowboy State Daily, in 2022 the average age of Wyoming legislators dropped from 57 to 54. Right now, one of the legislature’s longest-serving members, Charlie Scott, is 80.

Hear me out: as a 36-year-old woman, 54 seems pretty old. But if someone is twice my age, it may not feel old at all. Age, like many things, is subjective. What isn’t subjective is representation. 

It does a disservice to Wyoming’s young people and to Wyoming’s women to point to the few offices women hold and claim that the system is balanced. The numbers show otherwise.

Representation matters — not just for fairness, but because the people making decisions should reflect the communities they serve. Wyoming has always prided itself on being the Equality State. If we truly want to honor that legacy, we should make room for more women and younger voices at the table.

Writing in solidarity for a better Wyoming future,

Betsy Erickson

Casper