Full Breakdown
Wyoming Primary Features Unprecedented Slate of Open Seats
8/18/2026, 4:09:33 AM
Background: Retirements and New Party-Affiliation Law
Wyoming’s June primary presents the first simultaneous open contests for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House in 32 years, following the announced retirements of Gov. Mark Gordon and Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman’s decision to run for the Senate seat. A 2023 law now bars voters from changing party affiliation at the polls, ending a practice that previously allowed independents to switch parties on Election Day.
Candidate Field and Fundraising Landscape
Four Republicans vie for the governorship: state Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, state Sen. Eric Barlow, retired Marine Brent Bien and rodeo producer Curt Blake. Degenfelder and Barlow have raised roughly $1.3 million and $1.2 million respectively; Bien has raised about $192,000, while Blake reported no contributions. President Donald Trump has endorsed Degenfelder.
For the U.S. Senate, five Republicans compete, including Hageman, former Kirby Mayor Sam Mead and businessman Jimmy Skovgard. Hageman has amassed about $2.4 million, nearly ten times Mead’s total. Trump has again endorsed Hageman.
The U.S. House race features nine Republican candidates, with former state Superintendent Jillian Balow, Senate President Bo Biteman, businessmen Steve Friess and Reid Rasner, and Secretary of State Chuck Gray. Friess loaned $3 million to his campaign, Rasner $1.9 million and Gray $1.4 million. Neither Trump nor Hageman issued endorsements in this contest.
Election Mechanics and Voter Participation
Only voters registered with a party may vote in that party’s primary; independents are excluded. As of August 1, Wyoming had about 272,000 registered voters—approximately 212,000 Republicans, 30,000 Democrats and 25,000 unaffiliated. In the 2024 primaries, about 104,000 Republicans and 10,000 Democrats cast ballots. Roughly 30 % of Republican and 52 % of Democratic primary votes were absentee or early-mail ballots.
Outlook Toward the 2026 Midterms
The winners of these Republican primaries will head into general elections in a state that has elected only one Democrat statewide in more than three decades. With 77 days remaining until the 2026 midterm elections, the outcomes of these open-seat contests will shape Wyoming’s political landscape for the next election cycle.
