Steve Friess, whose late father bankrolled some of the biggest names in conservative politics, jumped into the Republican primary for Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat.
The 59-year-old Teton County resident told Cowboy State Daily that his conservative roots run deep. He said he was instrumental in generating the initial $1 million raised by Tea Party Patriots during the early 2000s and played a key role getting Turning Point USA off the ground alongside Charlie Kirk. Friess holds degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Southern California and has spent his career in the investment world, according to the outlet.
His father, Foster Friess, built Friess Associates into a firm managing more than $15 billion in assets and gave away upwards of $500 million during his lifetime, The Daily Caller reported in a 2021 tribute. The elder Friess helped launch both the Caller and Turning Point USA before his death in May 2021. (RELATED: GOP Senator To Not Seek Reelection)
Friess is the ninth Republican to enter the race for the seat, Oil City News reported. The field includes Secretary of State Chuck Gray, state Senate President Bo Biteman and former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow. The primary is set for Aug. 18.
The seat opened after Rep. Harriet Hageman chose to pursue a U.S. Senate bid following Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ retirement.
“I’m a businessman, not a politician,” Friess said in part, according to a campaign statement obtained by the Jackson Hole News & Guide.
“I can’t be bought,” he added.
He and his wife Polly co-founded Jackson Hole Classical Academy, a Christian school, in 2014, Cowboy State Daily reported.
Friess told the outlet he plans to seek President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Wyoming gave Trump his largest vote share of any state in 2024 at 71.6%, according to the outlet.
Disclosure: The Friess family are shareholders in the Daily Caller.
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