Wyoming governor 2026

Compare candidates running in this Wyoming federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Joseph Kibler

Party: Republican

Megan Degenfelder

Party: Republican

Brent Bien

Party: Republican

Eric Barlow

Party: Republican

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governor

Wyoming governor

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
safe r— Cook Partisan Voting Index (R+23); multiple outlets rate race as 'Solid Republican'

Wyoming is one of the most Republican states in the nation (R+23), and no Democrat has won a statewide election since 2006. The Republican nominee is heavily favored to win the open seat, making this race functionally decided in the August 18, 2026 Republican primary rather than the general election.

Joseph KiblerR
Megan DegenfelderR
Brent BienR
Eric BarlowR

Summary

Joseph Kibler is a self-described political newcomer and conservative Republican running for Wyoming governor in 2026. A small business owner with over 20 years of leadership experience across marketing, operations, and emergency services, Kibler spent 20 years as a paid call firefighter and served 15 years as a company officer. He has also served as a facilities director, project lead, and chief operating officer. A Christian, devoted husband, and homeschool father of three, Kibler lives near Cheyenne with his wife Charity. He is running as an independent/outsider candidate despite being a Republican in the primary, positioning himself outside the traditional political establishment.

Megan Degenfelder is the Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction (2023-present) and 2026 Republican gubernatorial candidate. Born and raised in Casper, Wyoming, she earned bachelor's degrees in economics and political science from the University of Wyoming and a master's degree in economics from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. Prior to her superintendent role, she spent approximately a decade working in Wyoming's coal, oil, and gas industries as a lobbyist. She has served as a Republican Precinct Committeewoman and worked with U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis when Lummis was in the House. Degenfelder is married to anesthesiologist Bryan Dugas and lives in Laramie. She coaches the University of Wyoming women's rugby team.

Brent Bien is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, Naval Aviator, and combat veteran. Born and raised in Wyoming, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Wyoming and a Master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He flew 275 combat missions in the AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter during operations in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and as a commander led over 250 air combat raids without losing a single Marine. He previously ran for governor in 2022, finishing second in the primary to Mark Gordon. Since 2024, he has been spearheading the BCR Ballot Initiatives, which successfully launched Wyoming's first People's Ballot Initiative in over 30 years to cut residential property taxes by 50%.

Eric Barlow is a Wyoming state senator from the 23rd district (2023-present) and former Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives (2021-2022). Born in Gillette and raised on a family ranch southwest of town, Barlow served as a U.S. Marine and worked as a large-animal veterinarian and rancher before entering the legislature. He has served in the Wyoming House from 2013-2022 and the Wyoming Senate since 2023. Barlow is a vocal advocate for property rights, public lands access, and conservative governance. He is a veterinarian by training and a rancher by profession.

View Joseph Kibler's Full Profile →View Megan Degenfelder's Full Profile →View Brent Bien's Full Profile →View Eric Barlow's Full Profile →

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Remove bureaucratic red tape and reduce government overreach
  • Return government control to local communities
  • Protect freedoms and family values
  • Give Freedom Back to Wyoming
Other
  • Protect conservative family values and the sanctity of life
  • Defend Second Amendment rights
  • Support ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
  • Increase Government Transparency
Economy
  • Support 'Energy Dominance' - Aggressively support fossil-fuel development
Education
  • Promote Conservative Education and American Patriotism
Healthcare
  • Improve Healthcare Access
Economy
  • Return Agriculture to the Growers
  • Return Taxes to the People (Cut Residential Property Taxes by 50%)
  • Return Energy Production to Wyoming
Education
  • Return Education to the People
Other
  • Ensure Election Integrity
Other
  • Protect Second Amendment rights and sanctity of life
  • Protect private property rights and safeguard public lands
Economy
  • Ensure limited government and fiscal responsibility
  • Support robust economy centered on minerals, energy, agriculture, and tourism
Healthcare
  • Champion medical freedoms and stem cell research

Key Issue Positions

Government Reform and Size
Advocate for fundamental government restructuring
Kibler argues Wyoming doesn't need 'legislative bandaids' but rather needs to 'tear it down to the studs and build something that lasts.' He believes in solving root problems with real leadership.
Liberty and Freedom
Core focus on protecting individual freedoms
Kibler emphasizes that government should protect freedoms rather than restrict them, and that his role would be to 'Give Freedom Back' to citizens.
Anti-Establishment Positioning
Outsider candidate positioning
Kibler campaigns as a political outsider who is not part of the political establishment, specifically avoiding '$250 plate dinners' and instead doing 'living room conversations' with voters.
Education and Culture War
Support for conservative education policies and opposition to DEI
As superintendent, Degenfelder has worked to establish policies restricting books in schools, supported legislation for charter schools and voucher programs, pushed for transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with biological sex, and criticized state universities over diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Energy and Fossil Fuels
Aggressive support for fossil fuel development
Degenfelder spent approximately a decade working in Wyoming's coal, oil, and gas industries and makes energy dominance central to her platform.
Conservative Values
Strong advocate for conservative social policies
Degenfelder aligns closely with MAGA movement and President Trump's policy positions.
Property Taxes
Advocate for 50% reduction in residential property taxes
Bien believes Wyoming residents, particularly elderly homeowners, face unsustainable property tax burdens. He successfully pushed a ballot initiative to reduce residential property taxes by 50%.
Election Integrity
Advocate for hand-counted ballots and elected judges/AG
Bien believes electronic voting machines cannot be trusted and wants all ballots hand-counted. He also opposes the appointment of judges and the attorney general.
Energy Policy
Strong opposition to wind energy and green policies
Bien is sharply critical of wind energy expansion and carbon capture subsidies. He claims Wyoming's oil output has fallen 65-70% and mining has dropped 18% under Governor Gordon.
Government Spending and Budget
Advocate for budget audit and reduced government spending
Bien believes Wyoming has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and calls for the state's first full budget audit since 1989. He notes Wyoming's interest earnings could cover essential services.
Education Reform
Overhaul public education system
Bien wants elimination of DEI curricula, reinstatement of Pledge of Allegiance, daily physical education, and believes Wyoming spends too much per student with poor results.
Public Lands Access
Strong advocate for public lands access and responsible development
Barlow championed Senate Joint Resolution 9 in the 2026 session, which passed overwhelmingly and urged Congress to protect Wyomingites' access to public lands and allow responsible development. He received widespread support from hunters, 4-H groups, teachers, business leaders, county officials, and outfitters.
Government Size and Spending
Advocates for limited, efficient government
Barlow emphasizes delivering services in a respectful and efficient manner while living within means.
Energy and Agriculture
Support for traditional Wyoming industries
Barlow represents Wyoming's ranching, mining, and energy communities and advocates for their protection.

Top Donors

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Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

Claim: In 2022, Degenfelder presented herself as the 'rational, reasonable candidate' to defeat a 'right-wing kook' (incumbent superintendent Brian Schroeder) when running for superintendent.
Contradiction: Immediately upon winning office in 2023, Degenfelder 'changed tactics and began her full-MAGA transformation, complete with bathroom bills and diverting public funds to private schools,' according to critics. She became a strong supporter of Trump and pursued the same conservative social policies she had run against.

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

What Opponents Say

No opponent claims documented.

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Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

President Donald Trumpindividual
Wyoming House leadershiporganization

No endorsements listed.

Business and community leadersorganization
Hunters, 4-H groups, teachers, business leaders, county officials, and outfittersorganization