GOP hopeful Eric Barlow wins Wyoming governor’s race

Wyoming state Sen. Eric Barlow (R) is projected to defeat Democrat Ken Casner and Constitution Party candidate Rebecca Bextel in the state’s gubernatorial race, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Barlow, a former Speaker of the Wyoming House, will succeed term-limited Gov. Mark Gordon (R).

DDHQ projected that Barlow beat Bextel by 48 percentage points with 20 percent of the vote counted as of 10:58 p.m. EST.

He won his party’s nomination in August, defeating a field that included state Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, who was endorsed by President Trump, and Brent Bien, who was backed by the Wyoming Republican Party.

A veterinarian and rancher from Campbell County, Barlow won every county in the GOP primary despite facing opponents backed by Trump and party leadership in the Equality State.

Gordon endorsed Barlow in October, praising his experience in the state Legislature and willingness to work across party lines.

The GOP hopeful also received endorsements from former Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer (R) and former state House Speaker Tom Lubnau (R).

Barlow focused his campaign on education, healthcare and water rights, including issues surrounding the Colorado River .

Casner, the Democratic nominee, campaigned on making elections more accessible and expanding opportunities for independent candidates to participate in the political process.

Bextel, who ran under the Constitution Party banner, criticized Barlow and Gordon, arguing that the state’s Republican leadership had failed to reduce the size of government. She proposed reviewing state agencies, freezing discretionary grants and reducing federal spending.

The race also highlighted divisions within Wyoming’s Republican Party, as Bextel received support from former state GOP Chair Frank Eathorne.

Wyoming has not elected a Democratic governor since Dave Freudenthal won reelection in 2006. DDHQ rated the contest as safe for Republicans ahead of Nov. 3.