Three Wyoming politicians threw their support behind Republican U.S. House candidate Cynthia Lummis during a press conference Monday in Casper.

Former Gov. Jim Geringer said Wyoming's lone representative in Congress should understand the issues facing the country and the process through which change can occur.

He said Lummis knows a lot about energy and the economy through her work in the Wyoming Legislature and as state treasurer.

"It's the demonstrated leadership in character measured over time that most counts," Geringer said. "You need to be able to bring people together, persuade people to the right outcome and be persuaded if need be."

Lummis demonstrated this when she advocated for changes in the state's investment policies while in the Legislature and implemented them as state treasurer, Geringer said.

Lummis, a Cheyenne resident, said she was able to take the state's investments from $3.5 billion a year to $8 billion a year and diversify the state's portfolio.

Next week, Lummis faces three other Republican candidates during the primary for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Rep. Barbara Cubin after 14 years.

Others running in the Aug.19 primary for the party's nomination are Mark Gordon, a rancher and businessman from Buffalo, former Navy officer Bill Winney of Bondurant, and physician Michael Holland of Green River.

The winner will face Democrat Gary Trauner of Wilson and Libertarian David Herbert of Cody in the general election Nov. 4.

In one of his campaign ads, Gordon has criticized Lummis' vote cast in the Legislature against a 1981 bill about veterans' benefits.

Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, came to the press conference Monday to defend Lummis' vote against the bill.

"She and I voted exactly the same way," Scott said. Lummis and Scott shared the same freshman year in the Legislature during the 1979 session.

Scott said they voted against it because it didn't define who would be eligible for veterans' tax exemptions. He said they were both in favor of the concept. After the population was more defined, both Lummis and Scott voted to pass the bill.

"Sometimes you have to vote against something you feel is basically going the right way, but they haven't quite got it right," Scott said.

Gordon said Lummis "flip-flopped her vote" and should have exerted more leadership in getting the bill fixed than just voting against it in the beginning.

"Veterans are extremely important and should be treated that way," Gordon said in a phone interview.

Stan Lowe, commander of American Legion Post 2 and former director of the Wyoming Veterans' Affairs Commission, said he came to the press conference to clarify what happened with the 1981 bill.

"I commend Cynthia and Charlie for what they did to contribute to the correctness and rightness of the bill," Lowe said. "Cynthia has a record that is most enviable in regard to her support for veterans in the state."

Rick Tempest, former speaker of the Wyoming House, also offered his support to Lummis.

Gordon also released a list of endorsements Monday including 34 Wyoming small business owners. Also, former U.S. Sen. Malcolm Wallop and current Secretary of State Joe Meyer have endorsed him.

"It's been a good race," Gordon said. "I don't know if it's been heated. We are just discussing records and issues."

Lummis said she wanted to get back to the issues during this final week before the primary - issues including energy and the economy.

"We're trying to reduce the drama of last week and refocus on the issues at hand," Lummis said after the press conference. "It's not unusual for the wheels to get off the track in the weeks before an election."

Contact reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.