Republican Eric Barlow wins Wyoming governor’s race

CASPER—Republican Sen. Eric Barlow, a Gillette rancher and former speaker of the House, will be Wyoming’s 34th governor following Tuesday’s general election. 

The Associated Press called the race at 7 p.m. with 0% of the votes counted. 

“We’re so thankful for all those who did participate and vote, and we look forward to working together to make Wyoming stronger, more prosperous and more independent,” Barlow told WyoFile shortly after the race was called Tuesday.

Barlow defeated Democrat Ken Casner and Constitution Party candidate Rebecca Bextel, who entered the race to directly challenge Barlow. 

His victory runs parallel to the last two times the governor’s seat was open in Wyoming, when the Republican nominee handily won the general election after succeeding in the primary election. 

In August, Barlow triumphed over Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, who was backed by President Donald Trump, for the Republican nomination. Wyoming voters overwhelmingly supported the president in 2024, but have indicated more recently a considerable disapproval of the way he is handling the job. That’s according to the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center’s 2026 election survey released last week. 

Barlow also succeeded in the primary election despite the Wyoming GOP endorsing another candidate, Brent Bien, and steady criticism from the right wing of the party that he was too moderate. 

When asked Tuesday night what he would tell voters who didn’t support him, Barlow said, “We’ll be working on their behalf, too.” 

“That’s the role of an elected official. It’s not to just represent those who may have voted for them or they like, but to actually represent the entirety of that constituency as governor,” he said.

Barlow’s win Tuesday puts Wyoming on track to welcome another traditional Republican governor with ranching roots. Current Gov. Mark Gordon and former Gov. Matt Mead also won office despite skepticism from their party’s flank. 

Gordon did not run for reelection and was technically prevented from seeking a third term, though he could have challenged that, as the Wyoming Supreme Court has ruled that term limits on the other top elected positions in the state are unconstitutional.

Born in Gillette and raised on the family ranch southwest of town, Barlow served as a U.S. Marine and worked as a large-animal veterinarian and a rancher before voters elected him to House District 3 in 2013. Voters then elected him to Senate District 23 in 2022. 

As a lawmaker, Barlow led the House as speaker in 2021 and 2022 and now chairs the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee as well as the Mental Health and Vulnerable Adult Task Force. 

He kicked off his gubernatorial bid more than year ago, and focused his campaign on protecting public lands, funding education and solving Wyoming’s healthcare access and affordability issues. 

“I am a leader who stands firmly on sound, conservative principles and who will fiercely defend your rights, including the Second Amendment and the sanctity of life,” Barlow said in his campaign announcement in August 2025. “I will protect your private property rights, safeguard our public lands, and keep Washington, D.C., out of Wyoming’s business.” 

When it came to fundraising, Barlow also pulled ahead of his opponents, raising more than $2 million since he announced in 2025, and setting a new fundraising record for a statewide race in Wyoming. 

Most of Barlow’s raising and spending occurred before the primary election, but not all. Since winning the nomination, he raised about $335,000 and spent around $195,000. 

Wyoming’s election results are considered unofficial until they are certified by the state canvassing board next week. 

Elected officials, including Wyoming’s new governor, will be sworn into office on Jan. 4, 2027.