March 20, 2026
The Oil City News has put up its updating election tracker, something we've done here as well, although theirs is an article that updates over time whereas we have to update blog entries, which is getting dicey due to some glitch on Blogger.
Anyhow, a good place to check on who is running, without, of course, our brilliant and amusing running commentary.
2026 Election Tracker: Who is running for office in Wyoming?
March 21, 2026
Former Casper Vice Mayor and City Councilor Shawn Johnson announced this wee that he is seeking the Libertarian Party of Wyoming’s nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The House race has been very active, due to one term Representative Harriet Hageman taking aim at the Senate. The current candidates are:
U.S. House of Representatives
GOP
Jillian Balow
Chuck Gray. On our don't vote for list.
Reid Rasner. On our don't vote for list.
David Giralt
Bo Biteman On our don't vote for list.
Kevin Christensen On our don't vote for list.
Independent
Daniel Workman.
Libertarian
Shawn Johnson
As an aside, we heard a public radio discussion of Christensen the other day, which was neutral, but which makes it plain he's sucked on the government tit pretty much his whole life and now comes in as a far right figure. These sorts of campaigns, of which there seem to be a lot this year, are much like a new high school graduate being an expert on parenting as he's lived at home for 18 years.
We better list the Senate as well.
U.S. Senate
GOP
Harriet Hageman. On our don't vote for list.
Jimmy Skovgard.
Skovgard has so far failed to impress, unfortunately. For awhile I subscribed to one of his two blogs which I gave up on as it might be kindly described as blather. Hopefully some other Republican will announce for this position, as I will vote for him in the primary when I'd rather not, as Hageman is a no/go..
Democratic Party
James Byrd
And the Governor's race:
Governor
GOP
Eric Barlow: At least so far, Barlow seems to be by far the best choice for this office. I'm seeing some of his signs around.
Brent Bien. On our don't vote for list.
Meggan Degenfelder. On our don't vote for list. Degenfelder is from the relatively hard right and has been tarred with the brush of a Trump endorsement, which she really doesn't seem fully comfortable with. She may be aware that it's problematic.
Democratic Party
Gabriel Green: Green is associated with the DINO movement, so while he's running as a Democrat, it's "in name only". Indeed, he founded the state's DINO movement, and he might be the only person to run under that banner. He's aggressive in this strategy, and is nearly as hard on the Democrats as he is the Republicans.
Constitution Party
Joseph Kibler. On our don't vote for list.
Kibler announced as a Republican, switched to being an independent and is now in the Constitution Party..
Kibler is a carpetbagger and has the typical carpetbagger "I just moved here from California for all your freedom and now I'm going to run things".
Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Eduction
Tom Kelly
Wyoming Secretary of State
GOP
Robert Short
Rachel Williams. Williams, formerly Rodriguez-Williams, is on the don't vote for list. She's the chairperson of the Freedom Caucus.
A carpetbagger from California, she always used a hyphenated name up until filing for this office. The WFC is packed with far right Evangelicals and generally MAGA has a strong New Apostolic Reformation element that is anti-Catholic as well as anti Hispanic. She is Hispanic and Catholic and in the category of people that is abandoning MAGA like crazy. She isn't, but she may instead have wanted to camouflage her Hispanic ethnicity a bit. I don't know that, but it's pretty odd that she suddenly changed her name for the campaign.
As a politician, she's had all the WFC views.
Democratic Party
Bryan McCarty
Wyoming State Auditor
GOP
Kristi Racines
Apparently State Auditor is too boring to bring very many candidates out to run for it.
Some interesting State House races.
House District 37
GOP
Steve Harshaman
Ross Schriftman
Democratic Party
Betsy Erickson
HD 37 is an interesting race as Harshman is one of the best legislators in the House, and yet he's drawing opposition.
Schriftman, who apparently attended Casper City Council meetings frequently, is running as a "constitutional conservative" which makes him a no/go, as that uniformly means that they don't grasp the constitution whatsoever.
Erickson is a young Democrat whose already adopted the seas of blood stance of the Democratic Party.
House District 57
GOP
Julie Jarvis
Jeanette Ward On our don't vote for list.
Jarvis took out Ward in the 2024 race and Ward, who is an extreme Freedom Caucuser, wants the seat back.
House District 58
GOP
Peter Boyer
Bill Allemand. On our don't vote for list.
Allemand, who is facing legal trouble for drunk driving, is one of the worst members of the legislature in our view and needs to go. Boyer is the Mayor of Bar Nunn.
March 24, 2026
Reid Rasner Sues A Fifth Person For Defamation
Reading the article, it's easy to see why Rasner is upset, but suing people during a campaign is a questionable tactic, although Rasner may figure he has no other vehicle to clear his name.
March 25, 2026
A special election was held in Florida for the Florida house district in which King Donny claims residency.
A steadfast opponent of voting by mail, Donald voted by mail.
The Democrat took the seat, flipping it from the GOP.
I'm sure MAGA has some explanation why their beloved gets to vote by mail even though he declares it to be hideous, and why the people of his state House District just said no to the GOP. But it will be delusional.
A good essay on an election closer to home.
The case for deep Wyoming roots
Chad Auer, a senior policy advisor to Governor Mark Gordon, announced his bid for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Legislator Tom Kelly announced earlier. Neither candidate has very deep roots in the state, both being recent transplants.
Rasner and Gray's contest, and of course they're only two of the candidates in that race, has turned out to be surprisingly interesting recently as Rasner has been pointing out Gray's hypocrisy on wind projects he claims are "woke", but which he voted for. Both candidates oppose wind power, because they love oil and global warming is a fib in their minds, but Gray is exposed on this. Gray's struggling to respond and has resorted to blaming his votes on Governor Gordon.
March 26, 2026
Another carpetbagger, one Frank Chapman, a lawyer from out of state who moved to Moran about a decade agon and is now some sort of rancher and outfitter, has announced for the House race.
Like every other Republican, he's running on the government is mean to me ticket. He's self declared MAGA.
In other news:
Hageman Endorses Degenfelder For Governor Of Wyoming
That's a pretty good reason not to vote for Degenfelder.
Must Be Campaign Season: Rasner, Gray Blast Each Other
March 27, 2026
An amusing story about the real Wyoming Frank Chapman and the Floridian carpetbagger:
And yet another Republican enters the race, this being former Cheyenne legislator John Romero-Martinez. He's running as "100% America first", whatever that means.
He's not on our don't vote for yet list, but frankly, he may be headed there.
March 31, 2026
The Tribune has an article on Chuck Gray's offices avoidance of a Wyoming Public Records Act request on Chuck's blatantly illegal turning of Wyoming voting records over to the Trump illegitimate administration.
There's no doubt whatsoever that what Gray did is illegal. He should be impeached.
Cont:
Trump interferes in the 2026 election. This will be struck down.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.), the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.), and the Federal Government’s constitutional obligation to guarantee a republican form of Government to every State in the Union, U.S. Const. Art. IV, Sec. 4, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. The right to vote in Federal elections is reserved exclusively for citizens of the United States under the Constitution and Federal law. Federal statutes explicitly prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote or voting in Federal elections and impose criminal penalties for violations. (18 U.S.C. 241; 18 U.S.C. 611; 18 U.S.C. 1015; and 52 U.S.C. 20511). The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains records that, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program under 42 U.S.C. 1320b-7, can assist in verifying identity and Federal election voter eligibility.
The Federal Government has an unavoidable duty under Article II of the Constitution of the United States to enforce Federal law, which includes preventing violations of Federal criminal law and maintaining public confidence in election outcomes. To enhance election integrity via the United States Mail, additional measures are necessary. Secure ballot envelope identifiers provide a reliable, auditable mechanism to enforce Federal law without unduly burdening or infringing on the rights of eligible voters. Unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, enable confirmation that only citizens receive and cast ballots, reducing the risk of fraud and protecting the integrity of Federal elections.
Sec. 2. Establishment and Transmission of State Citizenship Lists and Prioritization of Investigations and Prosecutions Related to Election Fraud. (a) To the extent feasible and consistent with applicable law, including but not limited to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and in coordination with the Commissioner of SSA, shall take appropriate action to compile and transmit to the chief election official of each State a list of individuals confirmed to be United States citizens who will be above the age of 18 at the time of an upcoming Federal election and who maintain a residence in the subject State (State Citizenship List). The State Citizenship List shall be derived from Federal citizenship and naturalization records, SSA records, SAVE data, and other relevant Federal databases. The State Citizenship List shall be updated and transmitted to State election officials no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election, or promptly upon request by a State in connection with any special Federal election. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish procedures to (i) allow individuals to access their individual records as well as to update or correct them in advance of elections; and (ii) enable States to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State Citizenship List transmitted thereto. An individual’s identification on the State Citizenship List does not indicate that the individual has been properly registered to vote in the State. State and Federal laws and State procedures must still be followed for an individual to be registered to vote. There may be State laws, not reflected in the State Citizenship List, that preclude voter registration, or the individual may choose not to be registered.
(b) For purposes of this order, an individual is “eligible to vote in a Federal election” if the individual is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older by the date of the upcoming election, and otherwise qualified under the laws of his or her State. The Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of State and local officials or any others involved in the administration of Federal elections who issue Federal ballots to individuals not eligible to vote in a Federal election, including under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511. Similarly, the Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of individuals and public or private entities engaged in, or aiding and abetting, the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots to individuals who are not eligible to vote in a Federal election.
Sec. 3. United States Postal Service Rulemaking on Mail-In and Absentee Ballots. (a) The unlawful use of the mail in connection with elections is prohibited by various Federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1708, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.
(b) To ensure the faithful execution of Federal law, protect the integrity of the mail as a medium for transmitting Federal election ballots and establish uniform standards for mail-in or absentee ballot services implemented through the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Postmaster General is hereby directed to initiate a proposed rulemaking pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 401 and other applicable authority within 60 days of the date of this order. The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include, at minimum, the following:
(i) Proposed provisions specifying that all outbound ballot mail must be mailed in an envelope that:
(A) is marked as Official Election Mail, including through designated markings provided by USPS for this purpose, such as the Official Election Mail logo, as necessary and appropriate;
(B) is automation-compatible and bears a unique Intelligent Mail barcode, or successor USPS technology, that facilitates tracking and is consistent with the other requirements of this section; and
(C) has undergone a mail envelope design review by the USPS to ensure compliance with USPS mailing standards, including barcode placement.
(ii) Proposed provisions specifying that, no fewer than 90 days prior to a Federal election, any State may choose to notify the USPS if it intends to allow for mail-in or absentee ballots to be transmitted by the USPS. As part of that notification, any notifying State should further indicate whether it intends to submit to the USPS, no fewer than 60 days before the election, a list of voters eligible to vote in a Federal election in such State to whom the State intends to provide a mail-in or absentee ballot to be transmitted via the USPS.
(iii) Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from any individual unless those individuals have been enrolled on a State-specific list described in subsection (b)(iv) of this section with the USPS pursuant to this subsection.
(iv) Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall provide each State with a list of individuals (Mail-In and Absentee Participation List) who are enrolled with the USPS, pursuant to a process specified in the rulemaking directed by this subsection, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided by such State, along with unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided to such individuals. The preparation and transmission of each State-specific Mail-In and Absentee Participation List shall comply with the Privacy Act and all applicable use agreements.
(v) Proposed procedures enabling each State to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State’s Mail-In and Absentee Participation List in advance of any Federal election, consistent with applicable State law.
(c) The USPS shall coordinate with the USPS Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice for investigation of suspected unlawful use of the mail involving Federal election materials.
(d) Any final rule pursuant to this section shall be issued no later than 120 days from the date of this order.
Sec. 4. Implementation. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of SSA, and the Postmaster General shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.
(b) The Attorney General shall enforce compliance with the applicable Federal statutes referenced herein and provide guidance to election officials, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 90 days of the date of this order, establish the infrastructure necessary to compile, maintain, and transmit the State Citizenship List described in section 2(a) of this order, and shall designate a point of contact within DHS to receive and process requests from individuals and State election officials regarding the relevant State Citizenship List. The Commissioner of SSA shall provide all necessary citizenship and identity data to the Secretary of Homeland Security in support of this requirement, consistent with applicable law, the Privacy Act, and all applicable use agreements.
Sec. 5. Enforcement. The Attorney General and the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) with relevant authority shall take all lawful steps to deter and address noncompliance with Federal law, including withholding Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities where such withholding is authorized by law. Evidence of violations of existing Federal laws by State or local election officials; States or localities, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots may be referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of investigation or charges under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511. States and localities should preserve, for a 5-year period, all records and materials — excluding ballots cast — evidencing voter participation in any Federal election (e.g., ballot envelopes, regardless of carrier).
Sec. 6. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any agency, person, or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other agencies, persons, or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 31, 2026.
It's illegal. He's trying to steal the election and to keep Democrats from voting, although it's GOP geezers like himself who like to vote by mail.
April 3, 2026
As if there weren't enough, another rich carpetbagging cornfederate joined the race for the House on the "I'll kiss Donald Trump's Ass better than anyone" ticket, this being Steve Friess, son of the late Foster Friess.
With so many people running for the House, we better repost the list.
U.S. House of Representatives
GOP
Jillian Balow
Chuck Gray. On our don't vote for list.
Reid Rasner. On our don't vote for list.
David Giralt
Bo Biteman On our don't vote for list.
Kevin Christensen On our don't vote for list.
Steve Friess. On our don't vote for list.
Independent
Daniel Workman.
Libertarian
Shawn Johnson
As an aside, we heard a public radio discussion of Christensen the other day, which was neutral, but which makes it plain he's sucked on the government tit pretty much his whole life and now comes in as a far right figure. These sorts of campaigns, of which there seem to be a lot this year, are much like a new high school graduate being an expert on parenting as he's lived at home for 18 years.
On the election, the sheer number of far right wing carpetbaggers will inevitably make things tough for the original OG carpetbagger, California Chuck Gray. Added to that, he's voted for wind projects, which are generally fine with me, in his first real job, Secretary of State, while he's campaigning against "woke wind". Reid Rasner is harassing him about that but Chuck's record is clear. He's been relatively green while in office. Chuck's a broken record however and is unable to adjust, so he's still doing it, blaming it on the Governor. Apparently Chuck isn't woke, but he wasn't awake, or something.
Gray and Gordon got into another argument in a public forum yesterday, resulting in Gordon telling him to shut up. We can only hope.
Anyhow, while Rasner has no chance, Rasner, Friess, Biteman and Christensen will all carve away the cornfederate vote from him and there's a decent chance that most if it will go to Biteman. All of this benefits Balow considerably.
April 4, 2026
Laramie County substitute teacher Ryan Shollenberger has thrown his cap into the ring for Superintendent of Public Education as a Libertarian.
He'll be running against, so far, Republicans Chad Auer and Tom Kelly.
Last edition:
