CHEYENNE - If Jan Zachry of Sheridan had to vote today in the Republican presidential primary, she'd pull the lever for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

"I notice I'm quite in the minority, but I think he's a true conservative," Zachry said.

It's somewhat unusual for Wyoming voters to get fired up about presidential politics this early, but the accelerated primary schedule and Saturday's presidential forums in Casper and Riverton have some Republicans already picking favorites.

Judy Ribble of Powell said she's not happy with any of the Republican candidates, but former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson's scheduled appearance at this weekend's forums has made an impression on her.

"It's always more enjoyable when they think about Wyoming, so he probably has a little more clout with me now," Ribble said.

Ron Diehl of Riverton said his favorite Republican is former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, because he "speaks plain truths.

"He doesn't have a bunch of twisted angles," Diehl said.

Retired Casper resident Norma Walls has her eye on former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"I'm really still undecided, but I'm leaning toward Rudy because he says what he means," Walls said.

Dave Marcum, political scientist at Laramie County Community College, said it's way too early to say which candidate will eventually get the upper hand in Wyoming. But he has identified qualities in some candidates that might appeal to voters in the state.

Here's what he said:

* Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo's anti-immigration stance will find supporters in Wyoming.

* The state's Mormon voters might find Romney appealing.

* Thompson's strategy to position himself as the "new Ronald Reagan" may have some success.

* Huckabee has a message that will resonate with progressive evangelical voters.

"He is very evangelical, wears his religion on his sleeve, but … it's a very progressive kind of evangelicalism that I think could appeal to some of the more moderate conservatives in the state," Marcum said.

* Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas might also get some of the evangelical vote, but Huckabee will likely win out between the two because his message is a more moderate and inclusive.

* Arizona Sen. John McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam, may get support from voters with ties to the military.

"I think his strong stand on Iraq will appeal to folks here in Wyoming, since there's pretty widespread support for the war here," Marcum said.

Dollars

If campaign donations are any indication, Romney is winning the hearts of Wyoming Republicans.

Wyoming donors had contributed more than $78,000 to Romney's campaign by June 30, the latest figures available. Giuliani had received nearly $40,000.

Next in line was a Democrat, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, with slightly more than $33,000, and then McCain with about $21,000.

Totals for other GOP candidates were: Texas Congressman Ron Paul, $11,000; Brownback, $1,150, Tancredo, $1,000; and Huckabee, $1,000.

Totals for other Democratic candidates: New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, $8,500; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, $6,600; former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, $6,000; Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, $4,600; former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, $1,000; Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, $300.

University of Wyoming political scientist Jim King cautioned that the relatively small amounts that have been spent so far may not be a reliable sign of voter loyalty.

Networks

The appetite for presidential politics in Wyoming is being met with special interest by some of the candidates.

At least two candidates have begun to establish networks of grassroots workers in the state.

Thompson Thursday named Rep. Amy Edmonds, R-Cheyenne, and Drake Hill, former state Republican Party chairman, to co-chair his effort in the state.

"We're going to be working long and hard to make sure that Sen. Thompson wins Wyoming," Edmonds said.

Matt Micheli of Cheyenne is leading Romney's organization, said Fred Parady, state Republican Party chairman.

Romney will not attend the Saturday forums in Casper and Riverton, but his son Josh will be there, spokeswoman Sarah Pompei said.

Romney was also in Jackson for a fundraiser earlier this summer, and his wife, Ann, was in Cheyenne during Frontier Days.

"We've been organizing at the grassroots level in Wyoming aggressively to be prepared for Election Day next year," Pompei said.

Candidates are also taking the unusual step of contacting some state politicians for their endorsements.

Paul's campaign contacted state Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, for his blessing.

Case, a lawmaker for 16 years, said he has never before been approached for a presidential endorsement. He attributes the solicitation to the state GOP's early county conventions and Paul's libertarian politics, which Case said match closely with his own.

"Somebody did some research from the campaign and contacted me and said we would be a good fit," Case said. "It's pretty impressive."

The Wyoming Republican Party has joined a small group of states competing to stage the first presidential primaries and county conventions in the country.

The state GOP's Jan. 5 conventions are credited with attracting some of the attention from candidates.

But despite any early hubbub from candidates, and voters, it's still very early in the campaign season, UW professor King said. Many Wyoming voters won't make their final selection for months, he said.

"If people are truly interested, they've made up their minds, and if not, they're not paying attention," King added.

Reach capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or at jared.miller@casperstartribune.net.

To view a video with more about how the Wyoming primary process works and to see the candidates in action, please click here.

Saturday's forums

Forums featuring GOP presidential hopefuls Fred Thompson, Duncan Hunter and Sam Brownback are Saturday in Wyoming:

* 10 a.m. at Casper College's Erickson Thunderbird Gym.

* 5 p.m. at Central Wyoming College in Riverton

The public is invited but won't be allowed to ask questions.