U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming has decided not to seek reelection in 2026, citing the exhausting demands of her role. The announcement comes amid criticism for delays in advancing cryptocurrency market structure bills supported by the Trump administration and House Republicans. Lummis plans to continue her work on digital asset policy through the end of her term.
U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, revealed on Thursday that she will not run for reelection in 2026. She attributed the decision to the intense physical and mental toll of legislative work, describing herself as a 'sprinter in a marathon.'
Lummis has prioritized digital asset policy during her Senate tenure. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act with bipartisan backing, and President Donald Trump highlighted it as a key priority. However, the bill has languished in the Senate, prompting accusations that Lummis contributed to the slowdown.
Critics, including the conservative Bull Moose Project, have faulted Lummis and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., for introducing alternative legislation that creates a new category for 'ancillary assets.' This move, they argue, sidelined the House bill and missed a White House deadline for passage before Thanksgiving. Aiden Buzzetti, founder of the Bull Moose Project, stated, 'The House did its job, and the Senate was ready to pass it until Senator Lummis called an audible and fumbled the ball.'
Defending her strategy, Lummis has emphasized that her proposal aims to offer clearer regulations for innovators and bolster consumer protections. In an interview with Bloomberg this fall, she noted, 'These conversations at this point are very successful, yes, they’re slower than we hoped.'
In her statement, Lummis reaffirmed her support for Trump and commitment to Wyoming's interests. She said, 'I am honored to have earned the support of President Trump and to have the opportunity to work side by side with him to fight for the people of Wyoming.' Her retirement opens the door to a contested Republican primary in the state and raises uncertainties about the path forward for digital asset laws.
