A former Delawarean who made his fortune with a popular mutual fund plans to run for governor of Wyoming.
The candidacy of Foster Friess comes during a wide-open race, with the incumbent not running, due to term limits.
His decision to enter the race led politicians in the state baffled, a political columnist in Wyoming noted. While a top Republican donor, he has not been particularly active in the state.
Freiss said he would serve for one term.
A native of Wisconsin, Freiss came to Delaware to manage investments for wealthy family interests.
Freiss and his wife later founded The Brandywine Fund, which became well known in the 1990s for its double-digit gains.
More than a decade and a half ago, Freiss sold a large chunk of his interest in the Greenville-based fund and moved to the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming.
Freiss maintains operations in Greenville. Brandywine has gone on to start other funds that mirror Freiss’ investment strategy.
A Christian conservative, he has been an active donor for Republican candidates including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum.
In a 2012 report, Freiss had an estimated net worth of more than half a billion dollars.
He is said to have given away much of his fortune.
Freiss has remained active in charitable circles in Delaware.
