Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.

Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2026

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search


2022
Governor of Wyoming
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: May 14, 2026
Primary: August 18, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Wyoming

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Inside Elections: Solid Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2026
Impact of term limits in 2026
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
Wyoming
executive elections
Governor

Secretary of State
Auditor
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Treasurer

Wyoming is holding an election for governor on November 3, 2026.

To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

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
Image of Eric Barlow
Eric Barlow (R)
Image of Brent Bien
Brent Bien (R)
Image of Joseph Kibler
Joseph Kibler (R) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = 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.

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Joseph Kibler

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "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."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


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!

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

Expand all | Collapse all

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.
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.
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.


You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

Voting information

See also: Voting in Wyoming

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
9/9/20259/2/20258/26/20258/19/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe Republican
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Past elections

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2014.

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
Image of Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon (R)
 
74.1
 
143,696
Image of Theresa Livingston
Theresa Livingston (D) Candidate Connection
 
15.8
 
30,686
Jared Baldes (L)
 
4.2
 
8,157
 Other/Write-in votes
 
5.9
 
11,461

Total votes: 194,000
Candidate Connection = 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

Theresa Livingston defeated Rex Wilde in the Democratic primary for Governor of Wyoming on August 16, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Theresa Livingston
Theresa Livingston Candidate Connection
 
69.1
 
4,993
Image of Rex Wilde
Rex Wilde
 
27.9
 
2,016
 Other/Write-in votes
 
3.0
 
214

Total votes: 7,223
Candidate Connection = 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

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
Image of Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon
 
61.5
 
101,140
Image of Brent Bien
Brent Bien
 
29.6
 
48,572
Image of Rex Rammell
Rex Rammell
 
5.7
 
9,378
Image of James Quick
James Quick
 
2.9
 
4,728
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
533

Total votes: 164,351
Candidate Connection = 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

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
Image of Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon (R)
 
67.1
 
136,412
Image of Mary Throne
Mary Throne (D) Candidate Connection
 
27.5
 
55,965
Image of Rex Rammell
Rex Rammell (Constitution Party)
 
3.3
 
6,751
Image of Lawrence Gerard Struempf
Lawrence Gerard Struempf (L)
 
1.5
 
3,010
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
1,100

Total votes: 203,238
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Mary Throne
Mary Throne Candidate Connection
 
72.9
 
12,948
Image of Michael Allen Green
Michael Allen Green
 
13.5
 
2,391
Image of Ken Casner
Ken Casner
 
6.8
 
1,213
Image of Rex Wilde
Rex Wilde
 
6.8
 
1,201

Total votes: 17,753
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon
 
33.4
 
38,951
Image of Foster Friess
Foster Friess
 
25.6
 
29,842
Image of Harriet Hageman
Harriet Hageman
 
21.5
 
25,052
Image of Sam Galeotos
Sam Galeotos
 
12.5
 
14,554
Image of Taylor Haynes
Taylor Haynes
 
5.6
 
6,511
Image of Bill Dahlin
Bill Dahlin
 
1.5
 
1,763

Total votes: 116,673
Candidate Connection = 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

See also: Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2014

Republican incumbent Matt Mead won re-election on November 4, 2014.

Governor of Wyoming, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Mead Incumbent 59.4% 99,700
     Democratic Pete Gosar 27.3% 45,752
     Independent Don Wills 5.9% 9,895
     Nonpartisan Write-in votes 5.1% 8,490
     Libertarian Dee Cozzens 2.4% 4,040
Total Votes 167,877
Election results via Wyoming Secretary of State

Election analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this state's elections when those are available.

Gubernatorial elections in 2026

There are 36 gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2026.

See also

Wyoming State Executive Elections News and Analysis
Seal of Wyoming.png
StateExecLogo.png
Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
Wyoming State Executive Offices
Wyoming State Legislature
Wyoming Courts
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Wyoming elections: 2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018