Who is Eric Barlow and what is Barlow running on in the 2026 Wyoming Governor race?

Eric Barlow is the Republican candidate for Wyoming governor. State senator from Gillette and former Wyoming House Speaker; rancher, large-animal veterinarian and Marine veteran; chairs the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Open seat (Mark Gordon (R) term-limited / not running for a third term).
• Rating: Solid R (Cook, Sabato, Inside Elections).

Why Barlow’s race looks the way it does

• Wyoming is the most Republican state, which makes the GOP nominee the overwhelming favorite.
• Barlow won a three-way primary decisively (58,820 votes vs 38,739 for Trump-backed Degenfelder) and set a state fundraising record of $1.67M.
• Casner is a grassroots, largely self-run campaign that rejects traditional fundraising.

What Barlow is running on

• Public lands. Pledges to safeguard public lands and keep Washington out of Wyoming’s business.
• Property rights. Promises to protect private property rights.
• Education. Campaigned on funding education.
• Healthcare. Focuses on healthcare access and affordability.
• Taxes. Says he fought to keep fuel taxes low.
• Gun / civil rights. Led a 2023 law letting non-violent felons restore their gun and civic rights.

In Barlow’s own words

“I will protect your private property rights, safeguard our public lands, and keep Washington, D.C. out of Wyoming’s business.”

“We’re running for Wyoming, not against anybody.”

The other candidates

• Ken Casner (D)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.