Governor of Wyoming · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in the Wyoming governor's race?
Eric Barlow has the strongest record in the Wyoming governor's race. Eric Barlow scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Eric Barlow's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Rebecca Bextel (5 of 15 criteria) and Ken Casner (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Strongest record
Eric Barlow
68 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 100
Constitution
Rebecca Bextel
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 63
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Ken Casner
On the ballot as Kenneth R. Casner
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Eric Barlow
- On the record2026-02
Sponsored four bills signed in the 2026 session, on wildfire management, sage grouse mitigation, motor vehicle warranties and agritourism safety.
Source: Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026
- On the record2026-07-22
Took part in a League of Women Voters primary forum at Casper College in July 2026 and accepted the October PBS general election debate.
Sources: WyoFile, Aug. 18, 2026, Cowboy State Daily, Sept. 11, 2026
- On the record2025
A Republican colleague moved in the 2025 session to strip his Senate Labor Committee chairmanship over his abortion record; the Senate voted 28 of 32 to keep him as chair.
Source: WyoFile, Aug. 12, 2025
- On the record2023
Led 2023 legislation expanding rights restoration for people with first-time nonviolent felony convictions to include gun ownership, jury service and public office.
Source: WyoFile, Aug. 12, 2025
- Credit2021 to 2022
Served as speaker of the Wyoming House in 2021 and 2022 after serving as majority leader.
- Credit2017 to 2024
The Center for Effective Lawmaking ranked him first of 53 House members in 2017 to 2018 and fourth of 29 senators in 2023 to 2024; 28 bills he sponsored became law from 2013 to 2024.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Rebecca Bextel
- Unresolved2026-02-09
Handed campaign donation checks from a Teton County donor to Republican lawmakers on the House floor after adjournment; a House inquiry cleared the legislators, and a Laramie County Sheriff's criminal investigation was opened.
Where it stands: House-appointed investigators cleared legislators of misconduct. The Laramie County Sheriff's investigation was ongoing per Cowboy State Daily (May 2026) and remained open per Oil City News (Aug. 18, 2026); no charge reported as of 2026-10-06.
Sources: Cowboy State Daily, May 13, 2026, Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026, WyoFile, Feb. 2026
- On the record2026-09
Declined a Wyoming Public Radio interview offer; accepted the October PBS governor debate.
Ken Casner
- On the record2026
Running on a pledge to refuse campaign donations; state filings summarized by WyoFile show no money raised through Aug. 17, 2026.
Sources: Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026, WyoFile Election Guide 2026, Kenneth Casner
- On the record2026-09
Accepted the Oct. 14, 2026 Wyoming PBS governor debate and gave Wyoming Public Radio an interview naming open primaries as his top issue.
Sources: Wyoming Public Radio, Oct. 2, 2026, Cowboy State Daily, Sept. 11, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Eric Barlow. Campaign reports are on file with the Wyoming Campaign Finance System, showing $1.67 million raised through Aug. 17, 2026. No state ethics or campaign finance finding found.
Source: WyoFile Election Guide 2026, Eric Barlow (state filings)
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Eric Barlow. Won the 2026 Republican nomination against candidates endorsed by the Wyoming Republican Party and by President Trump; in 2025 kept his Senate committee chair after a fellow Republican moved to strip it, standing by his voting record.
Sources: WyoFile, Aug. 18, 2026, WyoFile, Aug. 12, 2025
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Eric Barlow. Accepted the Oct. 14, 2026 Wyoming PBS governor debate with all balloted candidates, took part in a League of Women Voters primary forum and gave a Wyoming Public Radio interview.
Sources: Cowboy State Daily, Sept. 11, 2026, WyoFile, Aug. 18, 2026
Rebecca Bextel. Accepted the Oct. 14, 2026 Wyoming PBS governor debate with all balloted candidates; declined a Wyoming Public Radio interview.
Sources: Cowboy State Daily, Sept. 11, 2026, Wyoming Public Radio, Oct. 2, 2026
Ken Casner. Accepted the Oct. 14, 2026 Wyoming PBS governor debate with all balloted candidates and gave a Wyoming Public Radio interview.
Sources: Cowboy State Daily, Sept. 11, 2026, Wyoming Public Radio, Oct. 2, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Eric Barlow. Legislator since 2013, including House majority leader and speaker, and a Marine Corps veteran, with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: WyoFile, Aug. 12, 2025
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Eric Barlow. U.S. Marine and sworn legislator since 2013 with no official finding of misuse of office; he was not among the lawmakers who in December 2020 urged the governor to join the Texas suit over four states' results.
Sources: WyoFile, Aug. 12, 2025, Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Eric Barlow. Five terms in the Wyoming House (2013 to 2023), including majority leader and speaker, and a state senator since 2023; also a rancher, large-animal veterinarian and Marine Corps veteran.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Eric Barlow, Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026
Rebecca Bextel. Jackson small business owner and former Republican precinct committeewoman and state committeewoman; has not held public office.
Source: Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026
Ken Casner. Says he ran a small business for 28 years; has not held public office.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Eric Barlow. Former House speaker who chairs the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee; publishes specific plans that fit the office, including cash-based budgeting and regional governor offices.
Sources: WyoFile, Aug. 12, 2025, WyoFile Election Guide 2026, Eric Barlow
Rebecca Bextel. Names specific steps within a governor's powers in the WyoFile questionnaire, including auditing grant and subsidized loan programs and funding the Medicaid waiver waiting list.
Ken Casner. States positions in general terms, led by opening primaries to independent candidates and universal health care in Wyoming.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Eric Barlow. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and the WyoFile questionnaire, gave a Wyoming Public Radio interview and took part in candidate forums.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Eric Barlow, WyoFile Election Guide 2026, Eric Barlow, Wyoming Public Radio, Oct. 2, 2026
Rebecca Bextel. Two channels documented: the WyoFile questionnaire and a campaign site with a First 100 Days pledge. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: WyoFile Election Guide 2026, Rebecca Bextel, Wyoming Public Radio, Sept. 3, 2026, Ballotpedia, Rebecca Bextel
Ken Casner. One channel documented: a Wyoming Public Radio interview. Did not answer the WyoFile questionnaire and has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Wyoming Public Radio, Oct. 2, 2026, WyoFile Election Guide 2026, Kenneth Casner, Ballotpedia, Ken Casner
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Eric Barlow. Born in Gillette and raised on his family's Campbell County ranch, where he still ranches. In-state share of contributions not available from the sources opened.
Source: WyoFile, Aug. 12, 2025
Rebecca Bextel. Has lived in Wyoming for more than 20 years and runs a small business in Jackson.
Ken Casner. Born in Cheyenne in 1950 to parents born in Wyoming; a third-generation Wyoming resident.
Sources: Wyoming Public Radio, Oct. 2, 2026, Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Eric Barlow. Rancher and small business owner who led the Wyoming House as speaker; campaign reports are on file with the state with no finding.
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Eric Barlow. State Legislative Effectiveness Score Above expectations in four of six scored terms, ranking 1st of 53 in the House in 2017 to 2018 and 4th of 29 in the Senate in 2023 to 2024; 28 bills he sponsored became law.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file, Oil City News, Aug. 18, 2026
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Eric Barlow. No public record found.
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Eric Barlow. No public record found.
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Eric Barlow. No public record found.
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Eric Barlow. No public record found.
Rebecca Bextel. No public record found.
Ken Casner. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Wyoming governor's race?
Eric Barlow has the strongest record in the Wyoming governor's race. Eric Barlow scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Eric Barlow's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Rebecca Bextel (5 of 15 criteria) and Ken Casner (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Wyoming governor's race in 2026?
Eric Barlow (Republican), Rebecca Bextel (Constitution), Kenneth R. Casner (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Eric Barlow a good candidate for Governor?
Eric Barlow scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 100 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Rebecca Bextel a good candidate for Governor?
Rebecca Bextel has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Ken Casner a good candidate for Governor?
Ken Casner has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Wyoming race scored, and the Wyoming 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.