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University of Wyoming



◊ U.S. Representative


Wyoming Connections


Lummis holds three degrees from the University of Wyoming, including a law degree earned while serving as a Wyoming legislator.

College:
Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Law

Degree:
BS Animal Science (1976) BS Biology (1978) JD (1985)

Cynthia Lummis (pronounced "Luh-miss") was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. She was raised on her family ranch in Laramie County and graduated from the University of Wyoming with bachelor degrees in Animal Science and Biology. In 1979, Lummis became the youngest woman ever elected to the Wyoming Legislature. She returned to the University of Wyoming for a law degree, which she received in 1985.

Lummis then clerked at the Wyoming Supreme Court, practiced law in Cheyenne, and served a total of 14 years in the Wyoming House and Senate, concentrating on natural resource and taxation issues. She completed her legislative service in 1994 and then chaired Governor-elect Jim Geringer's transition team. She continued to work in the governor's office for two more years, primarily on natural resource issues. Lummis also served as the interim director of the Office of State Lands and Investments.

Lummis was elected Wyoming state treasurer in 1998. In eight years (two terms) as Wyoming state treasurer, she converted Wyoming's primarily fixed income investment portfolio of $3.5 billion to a fully diversified portfolio of equities, real estate and fixed income investments, public and private, domestic and international, totaling $8.5 billion. Her term of office as state treasurer ended in January 2007.

Lummis continues to be involved in the daily operations of the Lummis family ranch. She and her husband, Al Wiederspahn, former Wyoming legislator who is a Cheyenne attorney, have one daughter, Annaliese.