State Sen. Eric Barlow (R) is projected to win Wyoming's gubernatorial race, defeating Democrat Ken Casner and Constitution Party candidate Rebecca Bextel, according to Decision Desk HQ. The victory sets up Barlow to succeed term-limited Gov. Mark Gordon (R) in the Equality State.
Barlow, a former Speaker of the Wyoming House, won by a wide margin, with Decision Desk HQ projecting him ahead of Bextel by 48 percentage points as of early Wednesday morning. His win was widely expected in a state that has not elected a Democratic governor since 2006.
Barlow secured the Republican nomination in August, overcoming a field that included state Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, who had the endorsement of President Trump, and Brent Bien, who was backed by the Wyoming Republican Party. Despite facing opponents with high-profile support, Barlow swept every county in the GOP primary, a testament to his local appeal and political experience.
A veterinarian and rancher from Campbell County, Barlow focused his campaign on education, healthcare, and water rights, including issues surrounding the Colorado River. His policy priorities resonated with voters across the state, and he earned the endorsement of Governor Gordon in October, who praised his legislative experience and willingness to work across party lines.
Barlow also received backing from former Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer (R) and former state House Speaker Tom Lubnau (R), solidifying his establishment support. His victory underscores the continued dominance of the Republican Party in Wyoming, though the race also highlighted internal divisions within the GOP.
Casner, the Democratic nominee, campaigned on making elections more accessible and expanding opportunities for independent candidates to participate in the political process. His platform, however, failed to gain traction in a state where Republicans hold a commanding majority.
Bextel, running under the Constitution Party banner, criticized Barlow and Gordon, arguing that the state's Republican leadership had not done enough to reduce the size of government. She proposed reviewing state agencies, freezing discretionary grants, and reducing federal spending. Her campaign received support from former state GOP Chair Frank Eathorne, a sign of the fractures within the party's base.
With Barlow's win, Republicans retain control of the governor's mansion in Wyoming, a state that has become a stronghold for the GOP in recent decades. The outcome also comes as Democrats nationwide are seeking to blunt Trump's agenda, but Wyoming's gubernatorial race was never in doubt, with Decision Desk HQ rating it as safe for Republicans ahead of Election Day.
Barlow's victory adds to the GOP's success in statewide races, following Alabama's governor race and other contests that have extended Republican control in the South and West. As he prepares to take office, Barlow will face the challenge of uniting a party that showed divisions during the primary, while addressing the state's pressing issues.
