Wyoming State Senator District 5
August 18, 2026 · State Senate District 5; Wyoming · State senate district · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 53 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 18,142 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(20,954 ÷ 18,142) ÷ ln(20,954 ÷ 15,997) = 53.38, comparing state senate districts in WY (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Average representation + unknown decisiveness → Average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
State Senator is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the state senate
- Confirming certain governor appointments in many states
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Ben Hornok
Republican · declared
Ben Hornok is a general contractor, construction-business owner, former Wyoming state representative, and Republican candidate for State Senate District 5. He represented House District 42 from 2023 through 2024 before losing renomination in 2024.
Lauren Schoenfeld
Republican · declared
Lauren Schoenfeld is a workforce and economic-development leader, former Sweetwater County commissioner, former senior policy adviser to Governor Mark Gordon, and Republican candidate for State Senate District 5. She currently leads the Wyoming Innovation Partnership through the Wyoming Business Alliance and Wyoming Heritage Foundation.
Meagan Herrington
Republican · declared
Meagan Herrington is a construction-company administrative-services manager, community volunteer, Greater Cheyenne Chamber board member, and Republican candidate for State Senate District 5. Her work includes accounting, safety, cybersecurity, public relations, and community development.
Ronald D. McCleary
Republican · declared
Ronald D. McCleary is a Cheyenne resident and Republican candidate for Wyoming State Senate District 5. Current candidate materials emphasize property-tax relief, public services, education support, and conservation but provide limited professional background.
Ted Hanlon
Democratic · declared
Ted Hanlon is a chemical engineer, business owner, Democratic candidate for Wyoming State Senate District 5, and the party's 2022 nominee for the seat. He has 45 years of experience in the oil and chemical industries and founded Hanlon Process Consulting.
Election sources
Source: sos.wyo.gov
Source: sos.wyo.gov