Barlow Wins Wyoming Governor Primary Over Trump-Backed Degenfelder

Wyoming state Sen. Eric Barlow won the Republican nomination for governor in a four-way primary, defeating Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, retired Marine Brent Bien, and Curt Blake. With most votes counted, Barlow secured about 45% to Degenfelder’s roughly 30% and Bien’s mid-20s, clinching the nomination. He will face Democrat Kenneth Casner and Constitution Party candidate Rebecca Bextel in November, with Republicans having not won a statewide race in Wyoming since 2006, making him the heavy favorite. Barlow, a longtime legislator and veterinarian who previously led the state House and now serves in the Senate, ran on a conservative platform focused on property-tax relief, energy independence, expanded healthcare access, and private-property rights. He said the victory reflected the hard work of volunteers and door-to-door outreach, noting rivals benefited from high-profile endorsements and outside money. National expectations and endorsements played a role in the race, but Barlow’s establishment candidacy prevailed in a field that included Trump-backed opposition.