 - Several contested local races are already emerging in the first few days of open filing for the 2026 primary election in Wyoming.){kind=link}
(Fremont County, WY) – Several contested local races are already emerging in the first few days of open filing for the 2026 primary election in Wyoming.
Contested races
For the Fremont County Commission, three four-year positions are up for re-election this year – in District 1, a seat currently held by Commissioner Clarence Thomas, in District 3, a seat currently held by Commissioner Ron Fabrizius, and District 4, a seat currently held by Commissioner Mike Jones.
Fabrizius has already filed for re-election to his position, according to the Fremont County Clerk’s Office – as has challenger Ryan W. Preston.
Both candidates filed as Republicans.
Christy Hirasawa Gabel has also filed as a Republican for Commission District 4.
Two people have filed as Republicans to run for Fremont County Sheriff so far this year: Eric S. Murphy and John Zerga.
There are also two candidates filed in the race for Lander Mayor: Michelle B. Motherway and incumbent Missy White.
Also in Lander, Jesse T. Grosinger has filed to run for the Ward 2 seat on the Lander City Council, currently held by Chad Cassady, who has also filed for election.
Mike Box has filed for the open Ward 1 seat on the Lander City Council that is currently held by Councilmember Josh Hahn, and Michael Kusiek has filed for the open Ward 3 seat on the Lander City Council that is currently held by Councilmember John Larsen.
Incumbents file
Six of Fremont County’s current elected officials have filed for re-election as Republicans this year: Assessor Tara Berg, Attorney Micah Wyatt, Clerk Julie Freese, Clerk of District Court Amanda R. Sanchez, Coroner Erin Ivie, and Treasurer James A. Anderson.
Dubois Mayor Patricia Neveaux has filed for re-election as well, as has Shoshoni Town Councilmember Tammie A. Hardtke.
Jennifer Y. Schanno filed to run for one of the two open seats on the Shoshoni Town Council this year, too, and Ronald W. Ankeny has filed for the mayoral position in Shoshoni that is currently held by Joel Highsmith.
Marilyn V. Robinson has filed for the mayoral position in Hudson that is currently held by Sherry Oler, and Chancey Wilczewski has filed for the open Ward 2 seat on the Riverton City Council that is currently held by Councilmember Karla Borders.
Other seats up for re-election in Riverton include:
- Mayor (currently Tim Hancock)
- Ward 1 Councilmember (currently Kyle Larson)
- Ward 3 Councilmember (currently Mike Bailey)
Other open seats in municipal government throughout Fremont County include:
- Dubois – two councilmembers
- Hudson – two councilmembers
- Pavillion – mayor and two councilmembers
State-level elections
Three local lawmakers have filed for re-election to their state-level positions so far this year, according to the Secretary of State’s Office: Cale Case of Lander has filed as a Republican for Senate District 25, Pepper L. Ottman of Riverton has filed as a Republican for House District 34, and Lloyd Charles Larsen of Lander has filed as a Republican for House District 54.
Carl Manning of Riverton has filed as a Republican for House District 55 – a seat currently held by Joel Guggenmos.
Two other local House seats are up for election this year, in District 28 (currently held by Wyoming Rep. John Winter, R-Thremopolis) and District 33 (currently held by Wyoming Rep. Ivan Posey, D-Fort Washakie).
Sergio A. Maldonado Sr. of Lander has filed as a Democrat in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction in Wyoming.