CASPER, Wyo. — David Giralt, a Casper-raised military veteran and conservative Republican, has announced his candidacy for Wyoming’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The congressional seat is being vacated by Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman, who launched a campaign in December for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by retiring Sen. Cynthia Lummis.

Born in 1991 to parents who emigrated from Cuba and Costa Rica, Giralt grew up in Casper and became an Eagle Scout at age 14. He graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in 2009 before attending Colorado Christian University on ROTC and soccer scholarships, his campaign states.

Giralt served 12 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. His military record includes serving as a platoon leader at Fort Lewis, deploying to combat zones with the 75th Ranger Regiment and commanding a company of paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan, where he earned a Bronze Star. He later completed a Department of Defense Congressional Fellowship, advising on defense policy and national security on Capitol Hill.

Campaigning as an “America First” candidate, Giralt is heavily aligning his platform with President Donald Trump’s agenda, pitching himself as a reliable vote for the president in the House. According to his campaign, his primary focuses include finishing the border wall, deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally and securing highways against narcotics and human trafficking.

On the topic of energy, Giralt advocates for defending Wyoming’s coal, oil and natural gas industries against federal regulations and strongly opposes what he describes as unreliable green energy initiatives. He also aims to protect the state’s agriculture industry by defending grazing permits across 17.4 million acres of Bureau of Land Management lands and limiting Environmental Protection Agency oversight.

His other legislative priorities include expanding rural healthcare and telehealth access for veterans, reducing the federal deficit by cutting government spending, and protecting Second Amendment rights by dismantling the ATF gun registry and codifying concealed carry reciprocity.

Giralt’s platform outlines support for digital asset and blockchain innovation while opposing central bank digital currencies and pharmaceutical monopolies.

Giralt’s entry into the House race adds to an increasingly active election. His is the fifth candidate to enter the race, and the fourth Republican. GOP contenders include Secretary of State Chuck Gray, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow and Casper businessman Reid Rasner. Former Laramie County Rep. James Byrd is the sole Democrat candidate.