Leland Christensen

Leland G. Christensen (April 30, 1959 – February 4, 2022) was an American politician who was a Republican member of the Wyoming Senate, representing the 17th district from 2011 until 2019.^[1]

Leland Christensen
Member of the Wyoming Senate from the 17th district
In office January 11, 2011 – January 7, 2019
Preceded by	Grant Larson
Succeeded by	Mike Gierau
Personal details
Born	(1959-04-30)April 30, 1959 Alta, Wyoming, U.S.
Died	February 4, 2022(2022-02-04) (aged 62) Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Anita Christensen
Children	5
Profession	Politician, auctioneer

Life and career

Christensen was born in Alta, Wyoming, and lived in Jackson, Wyoming. He worked as a law enforcement officer and an auctioneer. He served for fifteen years in the Wyoming National Guard and with the 19th Special Forces Group in the U.S. Army.^[2][3][4]

He died from complications of COVID-19 in Idaho Falls, on February 4, 2022, at the age of 62, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Idaho. At the time of his death, Christensen was receiving chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.^[5]

Electoral history

2010

After incumbent Republican Senator Grant Larson announced his retirement, Christensen - then a Teton County Commissioner - announced his candidacy. He defeated Sam Harrell in the Republican primary and defeated Democratic candidate Tom Frisbie in the general election, 52% to 48%.^[6]

2014

Christensen was re-elected to the State Senate unopposed in both the primary and general elections.^[6]

2016

Christensen ran for the U.S. House seat held by Cynthia Lummis after Lummis announced her retirement,^[7] but lost in the primary to Liz Cheney on August 16, 2016.^[8]

He ran for state treasurer but lost in the primary to Curt Meier,^[9] and did not seek reelection in the State Senate.^[10]