New Odds in Wyoming

The G.O.P. has always been bothered by the sheer cussedness of Wyoming voters. Although basically Republican, they have the Westerner's weakness for personalities, never hesitate to vote for genial and able Democrats. Last week Republican prospects soared when one of Wyoming's best-liked and most able Democrats, U.S. Senator Lester C. Hunt, 61, announced that he would not run for reelection for reasons of health.

After Hunt's announcement, Republican Congressman William H. Harrison, 58, grandson of President William Henry Harrison, filed for the office and became the best bet for the G.O.P. nomination. Harrison (now serving his second term in the House) has been unusually good at keeping his fences mended and running errands for folks back home. He had wanted to sidestep an election fight with popular Lester Hunt, but with the Senator out of action, Harrison, like all Wyoming Republicans, was suddenly feeling tough and cocky.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.