GOP Underdog Pulls Off Stunning Upset in Red State

State Sen. Eric Barlow pulled off a notable upset Tuesday, capturing the Republican nomination for Wyoming governor despite facing better-funded and higher-profile opponents. Unofficial results showed Barlow with 58,820 votes, well ahead of Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder’s 38,739 and retired Marine Col. Brent Bien’s 30,843.

Barlow will face Democratic nominee Kenneth Casner and Constitution Party nominee Rebecca Bextel in the November general election. The victory came even though President Donald Trump had endorsed Degenfelder in January and the Wyoming Republican Party’s state central committee backed Bien in July.

“There’s been a lot of out of state money and agendas and voices trying to tell us things that aren’t true,” Barlow said. “And today Wyoming showed up, and showed us that Wyoming’s voice matters most.” He added that the win “comes down to the work” of volunteers who knocked on doors and hosted events.

Barlow entered the legislature in 2012, served as House speaker in 2021, and won a state Senate seat in 2022. One of his notable accomplishments was a 2023 measure creating a path for nonviolent felons to regain gun and civic rights. He faced late attacks from outside PACs that falsely claimed he sought fuel tax increases; records showed he had worked to keep those taxes down.

Degenfelder conceded graciously, thanking supporters and opponents alike. “I congratulate our Republican nominee, and I believe it is now our responsibility to come together, move forward, and continue fighting for the state we all love,” she said. She also thanked Trump and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman for their support.

Barlow expressed openness to working with Trump despite the competing endorsement. “We’re running for Wyoming, not against anybody,” he said, emphasizing plans for “meaningful conversations across Wyoming, to understand how best to serve Wyoming.”

The result highlights the independence of Wyoming voters who prioritized local work and grassroots effort over national endorsements and outside spending. Barlow now turns to the general election with a mandate from Republican primary voters.