A political action committee affiliated with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus asked a Sweetwater County judge in October to dismiss a defamation case filed against the PAC this summer. Now, the plaintiffs — Rock Springs Republican Reps. J.T. Larson and Cody Wylie — are urging the court to deny the PAC’s motion to dismiss. “There is ample evidence that the WY Freedom PAC’s written communications were both false and defamatory,” the plaintiffs, represented by attorney and outgoing Rep. Clark Stith, R-Rock Springs, argued in their opposition filed Nov. 14. Larson and Wylie filed the original complaint in July after the PAC sent text messages and mailers to voters equating a vote on a 2024 budget amendment to the two lawmakers voting to remove President-elect Donald Trump from the ballot. Such a vote has never occurred in the Wyoming Legislature. In October, the two lawmakers filed an amended lawsuit to account for additional mailers the PAC sent after the initial complaint was filed and to try to strengthen their legal argument. Larson and Wylie, who were both reelected, stand by their belief the PAC knew its statements were false. Because the Legislature has never held a vote to remove Trump from the ballot, the complaint asserts the PAC made statements contrary to the truth with actual malice, a legal standard in defamation cases involving public figures. The suit also alleged the statements caused harm to the reputations of the plaintiffs and harmed one of their private businesses. The PAC, however, argued in its October motion to dismiss that the lawsuit fails to state a claim and the allegations do not constitute defamation. The PAC also said statements made to voters “were made in the course of political campaigning, where imaginative expressions and hyperbole are at their zenith.” The plaintiffs take issue with this stance, contending the PAC “essentially argues that political speech is different, that false statements are not really false if they are part of political discourse. “Although the standard of the defendant’s intent required (actual malice) is different for defamation of a public official than for a private individual (negligence), there is not a different measure of truth,” the plaintiffs wrote. “The court should reject Defendant’s attempt to create a ‘post-truth’ world of political discourse.” During the 2024 budget session, lawmakers clashed over which elected officials should have the authority to represent the state’s interest in litigation. That debate came after Secretary of State Chuck Gray joined Ohio’s and Missouri’s Republican secretaries of state in filing an amicus brief that advocated for overturning a Colorado court’s decision to remove Trump from that state’s ballot because of his role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol. The Joint Appropriations Committee responded by adding a footnote to the budget limiting the secretary of state’s ability to sue on Wyoming’s behalf. Some lawmakers argued on the House floor that the footnote was about separation of powers. More especially, the footnote ensured the state’s chief executive — the governor — remained the one office with the authority to speak on behalf of Wyoming in a courtroom. While some members of the Freedom Caucus argued the secretary of state’s office needed the ability to act quickly, others said the budget wasn’t the place for such a footnote. Ultimately, it was left out of the final budget bill passed by both chambers. Months later, the footnote became fodder for thousands of mailers targeting incumbent lawmakers, including Larson and Wylie but also others that lost their reelection bids, including Reps. Ember Oakley, R-Riverton, and Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne. The plaintiffs argue in their most recent filings that the timing of the mailers is telling. The PAC “admits that the Wyoming Secretary of State had already filed amicus briefs with both the Colorado Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court in the case involving Trump’s right to appear on the Colorado ballot for president before plaintiffs cast their votes on a budget amendment that would first become effective on July 1, 2024,” the filing states. When the PAC asked the court to dismiss the complaint, it also made an alternative suggestion that the court resolve the case in its favor without a full trial — an order also known as summary judgment. But a summary judgment cannot be granted because the two parties do not agree on the material facts of the case, the plaintiffs argue. More specifically, the plaintiffs point to the PAC’s assertion that “a claim that one voted in favor of excluding Trump from the presidential ballot is not capable of defamatory meaning.” There is ample evidence, however, the plaintiffs contend. They also reiterate an argument from the amended complaint that support for the president-elect is so strong across the state “that whether one supports Trump has become a proxy for whether a person is a true Republican.” In the November election, Trump received 71.6% of the vote in Wyoming — stronger support than any other state. The PAC now has an opportunity to respond to the plaintiffs once more before the court weighs in. Earlier this month, the PAC requested an oral hearing for early 2025. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. ( NYSE:SWK – Free Report ) by 106.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 34,463 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,756 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Stanley Black & Decker were worth $3,795,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of SWK. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. grew its position in Stanley Black & Decker by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 8,126 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $895,000 after purchasing an additional 401 shares during the period. Biltmore Family Office LLC acquired a new position in shares of Stanley Black & Decker during the third quarter valued at about $220,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Stanley Black & Decker by 1.2% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,030,210 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $113,457,000 after acquiring an additional 12,305 shares in the last quarter. L & S Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Stanley Black & Decker in the 3rd quarter worth about $6,594,000. Finally, DE Burlo Group Inc. acquired a new position in Stanley Black & Decker during the 3rd quarter valued at about $8,535,000. Institutional investors own 87.77% of the company’s stock. Stanley Black & Decker Stock Down 0.4 % Stanley Black & Decker stock opened at $89.45 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The company has a market capitalization of $13.79 billion, a P/E ratio of -65.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $98.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $93.81. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. has a twelve month low of $77.70 and a twelve month high of $110.88. Stanley Black & Decker Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 29th will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.67%. Stanley Black & Decker’s dividend payout ratio is presently -239.42%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on SWK shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Stanley Black & Decker from $94.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Stanley Black & Decker from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Stanley Black & Decker from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Stanley Black & Decker from $107.00 to $98.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Stanley Black & Decker from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $102.29. Get Our Latest Report on SWK Stanley Black & Decker Profile ( Free Report ) Stanley Black & Decker, Inc provides hand tools, power tools, outdoor products, and related accessories in the United States, Canada, Other Americas, Europe, and Asia. Its Tools & Outdoor segment offers professional grade corded and cordless electric power tools and equipment, including drills, impact wrenches and drivers, grinders, saws, routers, and sanders; pneumatic tools and fasteners, such as nail guns, nails, staplers and staples, and concrete and masonry anchors; corded and cordless electric power tools; hand-held vacuums, paint tools, and cleaning appliances; leveling and layout tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, clamps, vises, knives, saws, chisels, and industrial and automotive tools; drill, screwdriver, router bits, abrasives, saw blades, and threading products; tool boxes, sawhorses, medical cabinets, and engineered storage solutions; and electric and gas-powered lawn and garden products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SWK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. ( NYSE:SWK – Free Report ). 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SOUTHERN MISS 66, MILWAUKEE 65