Vice President Cheney helped the state GOP raise around $30,000 during a June 22 event that was held at a private residence in Casper.

Amy Larimer, spokeswoman for the Wyoming Republican Party, said Friday that the funds will come in handy this fall, when the GOP will be defending two Senate seats and the at-large House seat.

Wyoming’s two Senate seats are relatively safe for the GOP. But the seat being vacated by Rep. Barbara Cubin (R) could be competitive, despite the fact that it is a presidential cycle and the state generally leans conservative.

Internet entrepreneur Gary Trauner, who came within less than 1 point of defeating Cubin in 2006, is running again for the Democrats. The Republican nominee will be decided by the outcome of the Aug. 19 primary.

Sen. Mike Enzi (R) is expected to receive only a nominal Democratic challenge in November. Sen. John Barrasso (R) should also cruise to election in the fall.

However, Barrasso is running in his first Senate race, as he was formerly a state Senator who was appointed by the governor last June to fill a seat that became vacant when Sen. Craig Thomas (R) died. Barrasso is running in a special election to fill the remainder of the six-year term Thomas won in 2006.