Banners, yard signs and candidate debates are a ways off, but the campaign for Wyoming’s next governor is already front and center.

Veteran state legislator Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Gillette, was in Powell on Monday at a campaign event to drum up support for his bid in the 2026 Wyoming elections to succeed Mark Gordon as Wyoming’s next chief executive. The 59-year-old will be on the Republican ballot for governor in the primary election on Aug. 18, 2026.

Barlow represents Senate District 23 in Campbell County. He was elected to the Senate in 2022 after serving five terms in the State House of Representatives from 2013-2022, including leading the House as speaker in the 2021-2022 session.

He is a rancher, veterinarian and a former U.S. Marine. He and his wife Kelly have a daughter, Kate, deputy director of the Office of Lands and Investments, and a son, Graham, a Sheridan contractor.

A self-proclaimed “private property activist,” Barlow embraces the values of hard work, community service and private property rights.

Barlow believes people want limited government, but one that protects and delivers “in a respectful way” services that Wyoming residents need “while still living within our means.”

This can be accomplished, and Wyoming can have a robust economy, he said, because of the state’s wealth in core energy and mineral resources, agriculture and national parks and tourism. He also sees new opportunities in manufacturing and development of rare earth minerals.

“I want to build a Wyoming where kids choose to be, to raise families and build businesses,” he added.

Barlow’s announcement for governor in mid-August generated pushback for what he isn’t — a member of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.

At the time, Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams of Cody went further to say Barlow is not conservative enough to be the state’s governor. Quoted in Cowboy State Daily, she said the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is confident, come 2026, the people will elect a true conservative for governor.

Barlow hit back when he was in Powell.

“I am an American in Wyoming running as a Republican, a conservative. I don’t need any other group label,” he said. “I’ve never used a label other than ‘I am an American.’ I try to solve problems and make a difference in peoples’ lives.”

The Barlow campaign issued a further clarifying statement: “Wyoming’s challenges are too important for us to get bogged down in personal attacks. The Wyomingites I am hearing from are tired of the ‘us and them’ debate and are ready for leadership that brings folks together. My record shows I am a conservative Republican who is committed to listening to my constituents and working on the issues that matter most to them.”

Barlow cited his record over 10-plus years in the Legislature.  He has sponsored 63 bills, worked them and seen 32 passed and signed into law.

Why announce a year ahead of the primary?

“It seems maybe others are waiting to see what others are going to do. I know what I want to do, and that’s to be the governor of Wyoming,” Barlow said. 

“I’ve got to get around the state to learn what’s on people’s minds,” he added.

As a sitting legislator, Barlow has the continuing responsibility of legislative meetings and the legislative session in Cheyenne early in the 2026 election year before he can campaign full-time. He called this stage in the campaign “listening and learning” to grow support across the state.

As an example, “You’ve got to sit and listen in Kemmerer and Rock Springs and Powell and Cody to learn and to grow support,” he said.