State executive race · November 3, 2026
Governor
Wyoming's chief executive, who proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills, appoints agency leaders and sits on state boards such as the State Board of Land Commissioners.
4-year term. Open seat: no incumbent is running. Gov. Mark Gordon (Republican) is term-limited. Wyoming has no lieutenant governor, so candidates run without a running mate; the Secretary of State is first in line of succession. The Secretary of State's roster (Sept. 9, 2026) lists three candidates: Eric Barlow (Republican), Kenneth R. Casner (Democratic) and Rebecca Bextel (Constitution).
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name.
Eric Barlow
Wyoming State Senator, Senate District 23Eric Barlow is a Gillette rancher, large-animal veterinarian and Marine Corps veteran who served five terms in the Wyoming House, including as Speaker, before joining the state Senate in 2023. He won the August 2026 Republican primary. His campaign focuses on energy, rural health care access, water infrastructure and cash-based state budgeting.
Rebecca Bextel
Small business owner, JacksonRebecca Bextel is a Jackson small business owner and former Teton County Republican official who resigned her county party post in May 2026 to seek the Constitution Party's nomination for governor, which she won. She describes her campaign as a conservative choice, focused on limited government, energy development, water rights and reviewing state spending programs.
Kenneth R. Casner
Small business owner, Elk MountainKenneth Casner is a Vietnam veteran, retired Wyoming Army National Guard master sergeant and owner of a store and cafe in Elk Mountain. This is his third run for governor after 2002 and 2018. He is campaigning on universal health care, raising taxes on wealthy residents and accepting no campaign donations.
Compare on the issues
Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.
| Issue | Eric Barlow Republican | Rebecca Bextel Constitution | Kenneth R. Casner Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care | Supports expanding telehealth, stabilizing rural hospitals, growing the health care workforce and reducing regulatory burdens on doctors and clinics. | Says a major problem for rural hospitals is people in the country illegally receiving care and not paying the bill, and says she would enforce immigration laws. | Supports creating universal health care in Wyoming. |
| Abortion | Describes himself as firmly pro-life and supports community-based care and maternal health resources. | Opposes abortion and supports parental rights and school choice as part of what she calls strong families. | No public position found yet |
| Economy & Jobs | Says the state should not pick winners and losers; supports workforce development and wants communities to decide on data center proposals while the state protects water and electricity ratepayers. | Says the state should provide infrastructure, clear rules, timely permitting and job training, but not pick winners through grants or subsidized loans. | No public position found yet |
| Education | Supports local control and parental involvement in schools, plus vocational training, trades and apprenticeships. | No public position found yet | Supports public school funding and more focus on history education in schools. |
| Energy & Environment | Says he supported legislation to protect coal, oil, gas and uranium production and streamline permitting, and would support development with clear rules that respect property and water rights. | Says she would appoint agency leaders who prioritize energy, livestock and business growth and demand timely permitting. | No public position found yet |
| Public Lands | Opposes selling or transferring public lands, supports multiple use and public access, and says Wyoming does not need sweeping federal land plans. | Opposes selling or transferring public lands and would use the governor's seat on the State Board of Land Commissioners to press for management and access. | No public position found yet |
| Taxes | Says he delivered property tax relief as House Speaker and as a senator, and supports cash-based budgeting so the state lives within its means. | No public position found yet | Supports a state income tax and higher taxes on wealthy residents, and says data center developers should pay their share. |
| Agriculture | No public position found yet | No public position found yet | Says he would protect Wyoming's water rights and agricultural resources. |
| Elections & Democracy | No public position found yet | No public position found yet | Says he takes no campaign money and wants the governor's office open to residents' concerns. |
| Guns | Supports Second Amendment rights and sponsored a 2023 bill giving some nonviolent felons a path to restore their firearm rights. | No public position found yet | No public position found yet |
| Water | No public position found yet | Says she will not agree to any deal that gives away Wyoming's water rights. | No public position found yet |