Originally reported by Klark Byrd at Oil City News
(Note: This article was originally published Tuesday night.)
(Statewide) – Wright rancher and Republican state Sen. Eric Barlow earned the Republican Party’s nomination to Wyoming’s governor seat in the primary election Tuesday, defeating opponents Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, Brent Bien and Curt Blake, according to unofficial results reported by the Associated Press.
The candidates are seeking to succeed term-limited Gov. Mark Gordon.
The AP called the race for Barlow at around 8:54 p.m.
Barlow will face Democrat Kenneth Casner, who ran unopposed, in the Nov. 3 general election. They will be joined by Constitution Party nominee Rebecca Bextel.
Polls closed at 7 p.m. As of 11:25 p.m., Barlow led his fellow Republicans with 45% of the votes.
Results are considered unofficial until certified by county and state canvassing boards. The primary election vote totals are:
Republican Primary
- Eric Barlow: 58,820 votes
- Brent Bien: 30,739 votes
- Curt Blake: 2,161 votes
- Megan Degenfelder: 38,739 votes
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, veterinarian and Gillette native, Barlow has served in the state Legislature since 2013, including a tenure as Speaker of the House before joining the Senate. His platform prioritizes property tax reduction, energy independence, expanded healthcare access and private property rights protections. In the recent legislative session, Barlow sponsored four signed bills addressing wildfire management, sage grouse mitigation, motor vehicle warranties and agritourism safety.
Casner previously ran in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, the 2020 Democratic U.S. Senate primary and a 2016 state House race. A third-generation Wyoming resident, he is running on a platform focused on working-class citizens and a pledge to refuse campaign donations.
Jackson business owner Bextel is a former Republican precinct committee person and state committeewoman. She’s running as a conservative alternative to mainstream state candidates who she said compromise on their principles. In February 2026, the Wyoming House investigated Bextel after she handed campaign donation checks to lawmakers on the House floor, an inquiry that cleared legislators of misconduct while the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office investigation remained open.