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Former Wyoming House Speaker Advances in Open Governor’s Race

Wyoming Republicans selected former state House Speaker and current state Sen. Eric Barlow as their nominee for governor Tuesday, putting him in the position to seek the state's top office in November. According to Fox…

Andrew PowellAug 19, 20262 min read

Elections Politics U.S. News Wyoming

Wyoming Republicans selected former state House Speaker and current state Sen. Eric Barlow as their nominee for governor Tuesday, putting him in the position to seek the state's top office in November.

According to Fox News, Barlow emerged from a four-way Republican primary and will face Democrat Kenneth Casner in the Nov. 3 general election.

The race is being held to replace outgoing Gov. Mark Gordon, who is leaving office after two terms.

Gordon had considered seeking a third term despite Wyoming's two-term limit, but ultimately decided not to pursue another campaign.

His decision opened the Republican primary to a group of candidates competing to become the next governor.

Trump-endorsed State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder finished second behind Barlow. Marine Corps colonel and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien placed third, while professional bull rider Curt Blake finished fourth with less than 1,000 votes and about 26% of the total counted.

Barlow entered the primary with a strong fundraising operation. Campaign finance figures cited by The Associated Press showed Barlow had raised roughly $1.2 million, while Degenfelder reported about $1.3 million.

Bien reported raising approximately $192,000, while Blake reported no campaign fundraising.

Barlow previously served as speaker of the Wyoming House and currently represents his district in the state Senate.

His victory now sets up a general election in a state where Republicans hold every statewide elected office.

That political environment gives the Republican nominee a significant advantage heading into November.

Democrats will nevertheless have an opportunity to compete for the governor's office with Casner now officially set as the party's nominee.

The governor's race is also part of an unusually busy election cycle for Wyoming. Several other major statewide offices are open this year, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction.

The number of open contests means Wyoming voters will have the chance to shape a substantial portion of the state's political leadership.

For Barlow, the next step is turning his primary victory into a general election campaign focused on succeeding Gordon and keeping the governor's mansion in Republican hands.

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