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Joseph Kibler
From Ballotpedia
Joseph Kibler (Republican Party) is running for election for Governor of Wyoming. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Kibler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Joseph Kibler was born in California. He was homeschooled. His career experience includes working as a chief executive officer.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Governor of Wyoming
Eric Barlow, Brent Bien, and Joseph Kibler are running in the general election for Governor of Wyoming on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Eric Barlow (R) | |
 | Brent Bien (R) | |
 | Joseph Kibler (R)  | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Joseph Kibler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kibler's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm Joseph Kibler, a conservative candidate running for Governor of Wyoming in 2026—a man of faith, family, freedom, and future. I’m a devoted Christian, a husband, a homeschool dad of three, and a small business owner with over two decades of leadership experience across multiple industries, including marketing, operations, and emergency services. My roots are grounded in service, integrity, and real-world problem-solving, not career politics.
My outdoor passions—hiking, camping, rockhounding near Cody, birdwatching, falconry, fishing, camping, and —keep me connected to Wyoming’s rugged beauty and the values that define our way of life. I’ve spent 20 years as a paid call firefighter and also served as a company officer for 15 years, and I’ve also served as a facilities director, project lead, and COO. Through every role, I’ve seen firsthand how bloated government systems fail the people they’re supposed to serve.
I’m running for governor because I believe it’s time to Give Freedom Back—to tear down ineffective government structures and replace them with efficient, transparent, people-first solutions. From property rights to education and energy policy, I’m fighting to restore Wyoming’s legacy of liberty, protect what makes us unique, and empower our communities to thrive on their own terms.
If you're looking for a leader who listens, leads with conviction, and puts Wyoming families first—I’m ready to serve.- REAL Freedom Doesn't Need Permission! Government overreach is choking the spirit of Wyoming. My campaign slogan—Give Freedom Back—means tearing down bloated, outdated institutions and rebuilding a government that serves the people, not the other way around. We’re talking about cutting red tape, decentralizing control, and empowering local communities. I want to see a Wyoming where families, ranchers, and small business owners are free to live without excessive regulation, crushing taxes, or top-down mandates. This is a movement to return power where it belongs: in the hands of the people—not politicians or bureaucrats in Cheyenne.
- If we want to Give Freedom Back, we must fight for the three battlegrounds where it’s being lost daily: Property Rights, Education, and Energy. These aren’t abstract issues — they impact every Wyoming family. I believe landowners should never have to ask permission to use, sell, or improve what’s rightfully theirs. I believe parents — not politicians or school boards — should lead their children’s education. And I believe Wyoming should be energy dominant, free from federal chokeholds and open to innovation. These three areas are the foundation for our families, our economy, and our future. When the government holds control of your land, your children’s curriculum, and your ability to produce energy, it holds control of your life.
- Conservatism That Works is conservatism rooted in faith, freedom, family, and the future — not just rhetoric, but real solutions that give people back their God-given rights. I’m not interested in managing a broken system. I’m running to tear it down to the studs and rebuild it with common sense and constitutional values. Real conservatism means you don’t need government permission to live your life — to build on your property, educate your kids, start a business, or speak your mind. That’s not radical — that’s Wyoming. We need leadership that doesn’t just talk about freedom but lives it out, protects it fiercely, and governs with humility and backbone. I’ll fight for low taxes, small government, energy independence, and your control!
I’m passionate about protecting faith, freedom, family, and the future for every Wyomingite. That means tearing down government systems that restrict our rights and replacing them with people-first solutions. As a homeschool dad, I care deeply about parent-led education and making sure families—not bureaucrats—shape our children’s future. I’m committed to defending property rights, lowering taxes, and unleashing Wyoming’s energy potential without D.C. interference. At the heart of it all, I’m passionate about restoring true freedom—not the kind you have to ask permission for, but the kind we’re born with
Firstly my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His example of servant leadership and love is one that I strive everyday to emulate. I also look up to leaders who stood for something bigger than themselves—people like President Ronald Reagan and Governor Kristi Noem. They led with conviction, courage, and clarity, grounded in faith and love for country. I admire those who don’t just talk about change, but bring people together to build solutions with common sense and compassion. I try to follow that same example every day—leading with values, not volume.
Integrity, humility, and accountability are foundational. An elected official should lead by example, serve with transparency, and always put people before politics. I believe in servant leadership—listening first, acting with conviction, and making decisions guided by principle, not popularity. We need leaders who keep their word, respect the Constitution, and elevate the voices of everyday citizens.
I'm a listener, a problem-solver, and someone who believes in showing up—not just during campaigns, but every day. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I know how to bring people together who do. I value faith, family, freedom, and our future—and I lead with integrity, humility, and a good sense of humor (which helps a lot more than people realize).
The governor’s role is to protect freedoms, defend families, and promote the future of our state through principled leadership. That means stewarding taxpayer dollars wisely, ensuring public safety, and fostering an economy where Wyoming families and businesses can thrive. It’s about building partnerships across communities, preserving our way of life, and removing barriers so people—not government—lead the way forward.
I want to leave a legacy of service. That people would say, “Joseph showed up. He cared. He made Wyoming stronger for the next generation.” Whether it's helping families thrive, protecting freedoms, or making government work for the people again, I want to be remembered as someone who got things done the right way—with grace, grit, and gratitude.
It is hard to ignore what happened on 9/11 I was 22 years old. But the first historical events I actually remember from being a child were the Desert Storm wars under Bush senior.
I worked at a Christian Camp with my dad when I was like 12 years old until my early 20s. I did everything there from cleaning toilets to managing most operational departments. As soon as I turned 18, I became a FireFighter as well.
The Bible. It’s the foundation of my faith and my guide for life. It’s taught me how to lead, how to serve, and how to love others well. Whether I’m facing challenges or celebrating wins, I find peace, wisdom, and direction in God’s Word.
Iron Man. He’s brilliant, bold, and uses his gifts to protect others. Plus, he never backs down from a challenge—and he’s not afraid to suit up when it’s time to get things done.
It's Always Been You, by Phil Wickham
Starting a business, raising a family, and trying to stay true to your values in a complicated world—those have all come with challenges. But I’ve found that struggle builds strength, and leaning into faith through hard times has always helped me come out stronger. It’s those valleys that teach us how to lead from the heart.
Protecting individual liberty and stewarding our natural and economic resources wisely are top priorities in Wyoming. That includes pushing back on federal overreach, defending parental rights, supporting local agriculture, and ensuring our communities are safe and free. The governor must champion local solutions that reflect Wyoming values—not one-size-fits-all policies.
The governor should be actively involved—leading the budgeting process, not just reviewing it. Wyoming families have to balance their checkbooks, and so should the state. I believe in zero-based budgeting, performance audits, and putting every dollar to work for the people. The budget isn’t just a spreadsheet—it’s a reflection of our priorities and values.
Line-item vetoes are a valuable tool for protecting taxpayers from wasteful spending or hidden agendas. I would use this power with discretion and purpose—focusing on eliminating unnecessary or harmful expenditures while preserving essential services. My philosophy is simple: If it doesn’t serve the people, it shouldn’t be in the budget.
The best government is built on mutual respect and shared purpose. I believe the governor should work shoulder-to-shoulder with the legislature—offering vision, listening to constituents, and building consensus around Wyoming-centered solutions. That doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations, but it does mean putting people above party and progress above politics.
Wyoming is more than where I live—it’s who I am. I love our rugged independence, our wide-open skies, and the grit and grace of our people. We’re the kind of place where neighbors still help each other, where faith still matters, and where freedom isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life. That’s what I’m fighting to protect and preserve.
We face real challenges—like diversifying our economy, keeping young families here, and defending our values against growing government overreach. But I believe our greatest asset is our people. With the right leadership, we can build a future where Wyoming leads in innovation, protects our resources, and remains a place where liberty lives strong.
What’s Joseph Kibler’s favorite kind of weather on the campaign trail?
A clear path forward with a 100% chance of common sense.
A clear path forward with a 100% chance of common sense.
Emergency powers must be limited, transparent, and temporary. The governor should act swiftly in true emergencies—like natural disasters or statewide crises—but always with clear oversight and a commitment to preserving constitutional rights. No power should ever be unchecked, and emergency powers should never become permanent policy.
Government should never be a mystery to the people it serves. I believe in open books and open doors. Every taxpayer deserves to know how their money is spent and why. I support real-time budget transparency, publicly accessible audits, and performance-based evaluations for government programs. Accountability isn’t optional—it’s the price of public trust.
The ballot initiative process is one of the most direct ways the people can shape policy. I support keeping that power in the hands of the people. If changes are needed, they should increase access, clarity, and transparency—making the process easier to understand and harder to manipulate. Every voice in Wyoming should count, and every vote should matter.
To me, it means the responsibility to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction—not control. It is the position of Chief Servant of the State. It’s not about ruling over people but serving them by removing bureaucratic red tape, safeguarding liberties, and ensuring state government works for the citizens, not the other way around. It’s the honor of being Wyoming’s strongest advocate, voice, and defender on every front.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 15, 2025
