Eli Bebout

Eli Daniel Bebout
Born	(1946-10-14) October 14, 1946 Rawlins, Wyoming, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Politician, businessman, former athlete
Years active	1987–2021 (politics)
Known for	First individual to serve as both Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives and President of the Wyoming Senate

Eli Daniel Bebout (born October 14, 1946) is a former athlete and American political figure who served in the Wyoming House of Representatives between 1987 and 2001, and later in the Wyoming Senate from 2007 until 2021. Initially representing Fremont County and subsequently the 55th House district, he later held office in the 26th Senate district. Bebout holds the distinction of being the first individual to have served as both Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives and President of the Wyoming Senate.

A native of Rawlins, Wyoming, Bebout completed his secondary education at Shoshoni High School before attending the United States Air Force Academy and the University of Wyoming. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Academy after admitting to an honor code breach. Following his military tenure, Bebout pursued a career in business within the energy and pharmaceutical industries, amassing an estimated net worth of approximately $6 million.

Bebout’s political journey began as a Democrat, winning a seat in the state house through a write-in campaign. During this period, he served as Minority Whip, introduced a redistricting proposal that was adopted, and was considered for statewide positions. In 1994, he changed his party affiliation to Republican and subsequently held leadership roles including Majority Leader and Speaker of the House.

After his departure from the state house in 2000, Bebout ran unsuccessfully as the Republican candidate for governor in 2002 against Democrat Dave Freudenthal. He reentered public office in 2007 through an appointment to fill a vacancy in the state senate. His tenure there included leadership positions as Vice President, Majority Leader, and President.

Early life and education

Eli Daniel Bebout was born on October 14, 1946, in Rawlins, Wyoming, to Hubert Bebout, who had served both as a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives and as mayor of Shoshoni, Wyoming. After graduating from Shoshoni High School, Bebout attended the United States Air Force Academy from 1963 to 1967 but did not complete his studies there. He voluntarily left following an admission of violating the honor code by failing to report other cadets’ infractions. He remained in the reserves until 1970 without active duty service. Later on, he graduated from the University of Wyoming and participated in the 1969 Western Athletic Conference Championship as an athlete.

In 1977, Bebout married Lorraine Tavares Bebout, whose influence contributed to his alignment with the Republican Party. The couple reported assets totaling approximately $6 million during the early 2000s.

Bebout’s business pursuits include serving as president of Nuclear Power & Energy Company, which engaged in uranium exploration activities. He established Smith-Collins Pharmaceutical Incorporated in 1983 and played a significant role in founding the Yellowstone State Bank of Lander in 1979.

Elections

In the 1986 election, Bebout entered as a write-in candidate seeking one of five seats representing Fremont County in the Wyoming House. Spending $7,138 on his campaign, he secured fourth place among ten candidates, unseating incumbent Republican Bob Baker while other incumbents retained their seats. At this time, Bebout was affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Representative Scott Ratliff encouraged either Bebout or Republican Representative Mary Odde to contest the state senate seat in 1988; however, Bebout opted for reelection to the state house instead. Backed by the AFL–CIO, he finished first out of seven contenders.

Chuck Graves, chairperson of the Wyoming Democratic Party, considered recruiting Bebout for a 1990 U.S. Senate bid against incumbent Republican Senator Alan Simpson, but Bebout declined and sought another term in the state house, winning reelection.

Graves also identified Bebout as a potential candidate for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat in 1992 against Republican incumbent Craig L. Thomas. Following redistricting that placed him into single-member district 55 alongside two incumbents after 1992 reapportionment, Bebout contemplated switching parties but remained a Democrat and won reelection by defeating Republican Marlene Brodrick.

On April 26, 1994, Bebout officially changed his party affiliation to Republican but did not pursue statewide office that year. This switch prompted calls for his resignation from Fremont County Democrats. In the subsequent election, he defeated Libertarian Jim Blomquist.

Bebout considered running for U.S. Senate in 1996 but withdrew after polling showed him trailing Democrat Kathy Karpan. He was reelected without opposition in both 1996 and 1998. On April 28, 2000, he announced he would not seek another term; his successor was Republican David Miller who defeated Democrat Linda Bebout (no relation).

Tenure

Throughout his legislative career, Bebout participated on the Corporations, Revenue, and Mines and Minerals committees. In 1992, after other candidates withdrew, he was elected Minority Whip without contest. Following his transition to the Republican Party, Bebout lost his positions on the Appropriations committee and as Minority Whip; however, Speaker Doug Chamberlain appointed him to the Judiciary and Travel, Recreation and Wildlife committees. In 1996, the Republican caucus selected him as Majority Leader. When Speaker Bruce Hinchey departed the House in 1998, Bebout secured the Speakership by defeating representatives Harry Tipton and Carroll Miller.

In the special election of 1989 for Wyoming’s at-large congressional seat, Bebout served as co-coordinator for Democratic nominee John Vinich’s campaign. That same year, he sought the vice-chair role within the Wyoming Democratic Party but was disqualified due to gender-based party regulations. Subsequently, Bebout acted as a delegate at Wyoming Republican state conventions held in 1998, 2000, and 2002.

In 1997, Bebout assumed the chairmanship of The Energy Council, succeeding Oklahoma Senator Larry Dickerson. This appointment marked the first occasion a Wyoming legislator led this organization.

Gubernatorial campaign

Bebout indicated interest in running for governor in the 2002 election as early as 2000. An exploratory committee was established in May 2001 with Senator Bob Peck serving as chair. By January 2002, Bebout had amassed $102,000 in campaign funds—including $42,000 of his personal contributions—and planned outreach across twenty-three counties under campaign manager Gale Geringer. His official campaign launch occurred on April 9.

Among Republican candidates, Bebout was viewed as the leading contender. He raised more funds than all his primary rivals combined and earned an endorsement from the National Rifle Association; Representative Barbara Cubin denied any influence over this endorsement. Bebout prevailed over Bill Sniffin, Ray Hunkins, Stephen Watt, and John H. Self in the Republican primary. During this phase, he collected $372,827 and expended $456,447.

Libertarian candidate Dave Dawson accused the Petroleum Association of Wyoming of excluding him from a forum to favor Bebout, whom Dawson claimed would siphon votes from him. Ultimately, Democratic nominee Dave Freudenthal won the general election. Throughout the campaign, Bebout raised $722,345 and spent $691,167—exceeding Freudenthal’s fundraising total of $533,424 and expenditures of $512,099.

Elections

Following Senator Peck’s death on March 6, 2007—after serving since 1991—Bebout emerged as a potential successor for the vacant state senate seat. Other contenders included Peck’s son Steve, Representative Frank Philp, and former Representative Brodrick. Precinct members from the 26th district selected Bebout as one of three Republican finalists alongside Lois Herbst and Fremont County commissioner Doug Thompson; Thompson abstained from voting. On April 3, the Fremont County Commission unanimously appointed Bebout to fill the vacancy.

Bebout ran unopposed for reelection in 2008 and announced his intention to seek another term in 2012 without opposition once again. In 2016, he defeated Democratic challenger Chesie Lee. On March 13, 2020, Bebout declared he would not pursue reelection in that year’s contest.

Tenure

Throughout his service in the Wyoming State Senate, Bebout held the position of Appropriations Committee chair and served as the Senate’s vice-president in 2012. He advanced to Majority Leader in 2015 and was elected by the Republican caucus as President of the Wyoming Senate in November 2016, marking a historic milestone as the first individual to have led both the Wyoming House as Speaker and the Senate as President. In 2018, Senator Drew Perkins took over the role of Senate President.

Though considered a candidate for the 2008 special election for the U.S. Senate, Bebout opted not to run, preferring to finish Peck’s remaining term. During the 2012 presidential race, he held the position of co-chair for Mitt Romney’s campaign efforts in Wyoming. Additionally, he contributed to Senator Mike Enzi’s campaign finance committee during the 2014 Senate election cycle.

Political positions

Bebout advocated strongly for laws mandating seat belt use, supporting requirements that all vehicle occupants wear them. He expressed firm support for capital punishment and introduced legislation urging Congress to terminate U.S. involvement with the United Nations.

Economic

In 1988, Bebout co-introduced a bill proposing an $8.5 million yearly loan aimed at constructing a natural gas pipeline connecting California to Wyoming. Notably, in 1991, he was the sole Democrat to vote in favor of overriding Governor Mike Sullivan’s veto on extending tax incentives for exploratory oil wells—a landmark veto override in Wyoming’s legislative history. By 2016, he opposed expanding Medicaid under provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Together with Ratliff in 1989, Bebout sponsored legislation seeking a constitutional amendment that would require a statewide referendum before any state income tax could be enacted—a tax policy he consistently opposed.

Equality

When the state house voted 44 to 20 against reconsidering a bill establishing a holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., Bebout was among four Democrats opposing the reconsideration after its initial committee rejection. He supported measures invalidating all same-sex marriages performed outside Wyoming and opposed implementing hate crime statutes within the state.

Redistricting

In 1991, Bebout introduced legislation aimed at adopting single-member districts for Wyoming’s legislature. The Joint Corporations Committee endorsed a modified version of his proposal while dismissing alternative plans that featured exclusively single-member districts. The state house narrowly rejected an amendment increasing legislative districts from sixty to sixty-two by a vote of 33 to 30, with Bebout voting against the amendment.

See also

• List of American politicians who changed party affiliation while in office

External links

• Official gubernatorial campaign site

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