The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Darin Smith to serve as the U.S. Attorney for Wyoming by a vote of 46-43.
The vote came as the Senate was considering a long list of presidential nominees to serve as U.S. Attorneys.
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Smith is the former chair of the Laramie County Republican Party and ran for congress in 2016. losing in the GOP primary. He also launched a run for congress in 2022 but withdrew from the race, which was eventually won by Harriet Hageman.
Smith was elected to the state legislature in 2024 representing Senate District 6. He replaced Anthony Bouchard, who did not run for reelection.
Smith emerged victorious in a crowded GOP primary that year after receiving the endorsement of President Trump. That was unusual because Trump normally does not endorse Wyoming legislative candidates.
The president nominated Smith to serve as Wyoming’s top federal attorney last summer. He was sworn in as interim U.S. Attorney in August.
Three Federal Judges Recently Threw Out Felony Cases Tried By Smith
His nomination for U.S. Attorney was not without controversy. Three federal judges in Wyoming last week threw out grand jury felony indictments against 9 defendants because of what they said was prosecutorial misconduct. Federal judges Kelly Rankin, Scott Skavdahl and Alan B. Johnson signed a joint statement accusing Smith of prejudicial statements to grand jurors in the cases, including calling defendants ‘bad guys,” murderers” and similar comments. Once of the cases included a charge of first-degree murder.
The judges called Smith’s conduct “deeply concerning.”
Rankin was appointed to the bench by President Biden, Skavdahl by President Obama, and Johnson was appointed by President Reagan.
Both of Wyoming’s U.S. Senators, John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, voted to confirm Smith.
In a 2025 statement following Smith’s nomination to serve as U.S. Attorney Barrasso said “Darin Smith is ready and well-qualified to serve as Wyoming’s chief federal law enforcement officer,” said Barrasso. “President Trump made a solid, conservative choice in nominating Darin. Darin’s experience in the Wyoming State Senate and years of practicing law in Wyoming will serve him well. I look forward to confirming him in the U.S. Senate as soon as possible.”
The Charmingly Odd Town Of La Grange Wyoming
It is well worth the long drive to see one of the most interesting and quirky little towns in Wyoming.
Stay for lunch. You won’t regret it.
Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods
