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Mark Gordon (Wyoming)
Mark Gordon (Republican Party) is the Governor of Wyoming. He assumed office on January 7, 2019. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Gordon (Republican Party) ran for re-election for Governor of Wyoming. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Gordon was born in New York City and raised on his family's ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming.[1] Gordon graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Middlebury College, in Vermont, in 1979.[2] After graduating, he returned to Wyoming and ran recreation and tourism companies, worked in the oil and gas industry, and ranched.[2] From 2008 to 2012, Gordon served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Board of Directors.[2][3][4]
Gordon entered politics in 2008 when he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for Wyoming's at-large congressional seat, losing to Cynthia Lummis.[5] In 2012, then-Gov. Matt Mead (R) nominated Gordon to Wyoming Treasurer to fill the vacancy created after Treasurer Joe Meyer (R) died.[6] Gordon won a full term as Treasurer in 2014, defeating Ron Redo in the Republican primary with 88% of the vote. Gordon was uncontested in the general election.
In 2018, Gordon ran for governor, saying, "As Governor, I will get government out of the way to support freedom and opportunity. This means decreasing the size of government, making reductions in spending and prioritizing needs versus wants."[7] He defeated five other candidates in the primary, including Foster Friess, whom then-President Donald Trump (R) endorsed, with 33% of the vote.[8] Gordon defeated Mary Throne (D) in the general election 67-26%. Gordon won re-election to the governor's office in 2022 with 74% of the vote.
Wyoming Truth's Jacob Gardenswartz wrote, "Gordon has succeeded in balancing support for populist conservatism with a more moderate and pragmatic governing style," including a focus on local issues.[9] Gordon said two of his top issues for his second term would be workforce development and K-12 education.[9]
In his second term as governor, Gordon signed a law banning medical interventions for transgender minors but vetoed a bill that would have required women seeking an abortion to first receive an ultrasound.[10][11] When Gordon signed the state's two-year budget in March 2024, he used his line-item veto authority to remove some provisions from the bill, including one that would have eliminated funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at the University of Wyoming.[12] Gordon's actions occurred after the Wyoming State Legislature's session had ended, preventing lawmakers from overriding his vetoes.[13]
In 2025, Gordon signed legislation establishing a universal school choice program, calling it a "remarkable achievement for Wyoming." He had previously vetoed similar language in 2024.[14]
Gordon has said he believes in climate change and has supported policies that protect Wyoming's fossil fuel industries while encouraging the development of renewable energy sources and removing CO2 from the atmosphere.[15] Gordon said, "There is a drum beat of 'we’ve got to stop coal.' People think that if we put coal miners out of work, we will just make the world a little bit better. They do not understand what a challenge that is. In Wyoming, we educate our kids off coal...[w]e have focused on developing techniques that reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."[16] Gordon has been critical of Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), calling it a "cosmetic approach to the challenges that we really need to deal with."[16]
Biography
Gordon was born in New York on March 14, 1957 and grew up on his family's ranch in Wyoming.[17] He graduated from Middlebury College in 1979 with a B.A. in history.[18] Prior to his appointment as Wyoming state treasurer, Gordon ran several businesses in outdoor recreation and tourism. He also worked in the oil and gas industry and served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.[19][20]
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
Gordon's political career includes the following offices:
- 2019-present: Governor of Wyoming
- 2012-2019: Wyoming Treasurer
Elections/Appointments
2022
See also: Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Wyoming
Incumbent Mark Gordon defeated Theresa Livingston and Jared Baldes in the general election for Governor of Wyoming on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mark Gordon (R) | 74.1 | 143,696 |
 | Theresa Livingston (D)  | 15.8 | 30,686 | |
| Jared Baldes (L) | 4.2 | 8,157 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 5.9 | 11,461 | ||
| Total votes: 194,000 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Wyoming
Theresa Livingston defeated Rex Wilde in the Democratic primary for Governor of Wyoming on August 16, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Theresa Livingston | 69.1 | 4,993 |
 | Rex Wilde | 27.9 | 2,016 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.0 | 214 | ||
| Total votes: 7,223 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Wyoming
Incumbent Mark Gordon defeated Brent Bien, Rex Rammell, and James Quick in the Republican primary for Governor of Wyoming on August 16, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Gordon | 61.5 | 101,140 |
 | Brent Bien | 29.6 | 48,572 | |
 | Rex Rammell | 5.7 | 9,378 | |
 | James Quick | 2.9 | 4,728 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 533 | ||
| Total votes: 164,351 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Aaron Nab (R)
2018
- See also: Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2018
General election
General election for Governor of Wyoming
Mark Gordon defeated Mary Throne, Rex Rammell, and Lawrence Gerard Struempf in the general election for Governor of Wyoming on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Gordon (R) | 67.1 | 136,412 |
 | Mary Throne (D) | 27.5 | 55,965 | |
| Rex Rammell (Constitution Party) | 3.3 | 6,751 | |
 | Lawrence Gerard Struempf (L) | 1.5 | 3,010 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 1,100 | ||
| Total votes: 203,238 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Wyoming
Mary Throne defeated Michael Allen Green, Ken Casner, and Rex Wilde in the Democratic primary for Governor of Wyoming on August 21, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mary Throne | 72.9 | 12,948 |
 | Michael Allen Green | 13.5 | 2,391 | |
 | Ken Casner | 6.8 | 1,213 | |
| Rex Wilde | 6.8 | 1,201 | |
| Total votes: 17,753 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Wyoming
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Wyoming on August 21, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Gordon | 33.4 | 38,951 |
 | Foster Friess | 25.6 | 29,842 | |
 | Harriet Hageman | 21.5 | 25,052 | |
 | Sam Galeotos | 12.5 | 14,554 | |
 | Taylor Haynes | 5.6 | 6,511 | |
 | Bill Dahlin | 1.5 | 1,763 | |
| Total votes: 116,673 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2014
Gordon won the Republican nomination for Wyoming state treasurer in 2014. He was unopposed in the general election.
| Wyoming Treasurer Republican Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
 Mark Gordon |
87.7% | 72,095 | ||
| Ron Redo | 12.1% | 9,945 | ||
| Write-in votes | 0.3% | 206 | ||
| Total Votes | 82,246 | |||
| Election results via Wyoming Secretary of State. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mark Gordon did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Gordon’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Building a Bright Future Growing up on the ranch in Kaycee, when his family or neighbors had a problem, they didn’t look to the government to solve it. They rolled up their sleeves, banded together and got the job done. As Governor, Mark will fight to get government out of the way and allow the people of Wyoming to prosper. Wyoming remains the best state in the nation to live, raise a family or start a business. With some of the lowest taxes in the country, favorable regulatory policies, access to private and public-sector resources, Wyoming is the place to be for self-starters, entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to chart their own course. Mark understands what it takes to retain and foster Wyoming’s youth and talent while attracting the best and brightest to advance current industries in our state and grow new ones. He has a broad range of experience in the fields most important to Wyoming, from running a family ranch, owning and operating Main Street businesses, and working in the energy industry. Mark recognizes that Wyoming is ready to be a leader in these fields and many more – from technology and computer science to advanced manufacturing and engineering. Reducing the Size of Government and Decreasing Spending Mark’s track record in the Treasurer’s office demonstrates his ability to do more with less while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. A fiscal conservative all his life, Mark has the private and public-sector experience to chart this new course Wyoming. The boom times over the last decade have resulted in rising spending rates that Wyoming simply cannot keep up with. During this time, Mark has successfully managed the state’s second largest contributor to general fund income – investment income. He has delivered the funds best performance in the past decade and has set procedures in place that ultimately position Wyoming to benefit further from investment income in the years to come. He has firsthand knowledge of the state’s fiscal position and knows how to best protect taxpayer’s money while making it work efficiently and effectively for our citizens. As Governor, Mark will conservatively manage spending levels without growing government, while still providing the essential services the people of Wyoming depend on. Ensuring the Future of Wyoming’s Natural Resources Throughout his career, Mark has worked to push back against federal overreach and cut through bureaucratic red-tape that has kept much of our natural resources under lock and key. As Governor, Mark will ensure responsible development of our state’s vast natural resources while protecting open space and access to public lands. He will work to position Wyoming as the leader in advanced energy technologies including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and new carbon-to-product markets. Defending Our Conservative Values Mark is a lifelong member of the NRA and believes the right to bear arms is fundamental. Growing up on a ranch, owning guns is part of his way of life. Mark hunts, taught all his kids how to shoot and owns a firearm for personal protection. Mark will continue to be a relentless defender of the Second Amendment.[21] |
” |
| —Mark Gordon's campaign website (2018)[22] | ||
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Noteworthy events
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| Coronavirus pandemic |
| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.
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On November 25, 2020, Gordon announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[23]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Governor of Wyoming |
Officeholder Governor of Wyoming |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Governor Mark Gordon, "Meet Governor Mark Gordon," accessed January 30, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mark Gordon 2018 campaign website, "Meet Mark," accessed January 30, 2025
- ↑ Mark Gordon, "Meet Mark," accessed February 8, 2019
- ↑ Governor Mark Gordon, "Meet Mark," accessed February 8, 2019
- ↑ Roll Call, "Flash Gordon," January 30, 2025
- ↑ Gillette News Record, "Mark Gordon takes oath as Wyoming treasurer," November 2, 2012
- ↑ Wyoming News Now, "Mark Gordon is entering the race for Wyoming Governor.," March 15, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Trump-backed Friess loses Wyoming governor’s primary," August 21, 2018
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Wyoming Truth, "The Secret Behind Gov. Mark Gordon’s Enduring Popularity," October 10, 2022
- ↑ WyoFile, "Gordon vetoes Wyoming abortion regulations, ultrasound requirement," March 22, 2024
- ↑ MSNBC, "Wyoming governor vetoes abortion restrictions and signs trans medical care ban for minors," January 30, 2024
- ↑ Inside Higher Ed, "Governor Partially Protects DEI Funding for University of Wyoming," March 25, 2024
- ↑ WyoFile, "Gordon signs budget; Freedom Caucus calls for special session to override his vetoes," March 23, 2024
- ↑ WyoFile, "Governor signs universal school voucher bill, calling it ‘remarkable achievement for Wyoming’," March 4, 2025
- ↑ Cowboy State Daily, "Gordon Tells ’60 Minutes’ His Climate Stance Is ‘Well Respected’ In Wyoming," December 11, 2023
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Chicago Policy Review, "Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon on Rural America, Climate Policy, and the Future of ESG," January 24, 2024
- ↑ National Governors Association, "Gov. Mark Gordon," accessed May 20, 2021
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Mark Gordon," accessed May 20, 2021
- ↑ Gordon for Wyoming, "Meet Mark," accessed March 20, 2021
- ↑ News Letter Journal, "Wyoming Governor Election: Mark Gordon," October 31, 2018
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Mark Gordon's campaign website (2018), “Issues,” July 31, 2018
- ↑ CBS News', "Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon tests positive for coronavirus," November 25, 2020
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Matt Mead (R) |
Governor of Wyoming 2019-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Wyoming Treasurer 2012-2019 |
Succeeded by - |
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State of Wyoming Cheyenne (capital) |
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