WRIGHT — As state Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Gillette, announced his candidacy for Wyoming governor Tuesday afternoon, there were already hints he expects the gloves to be off leading up to the Republican primary in August 2026.
It started with the opening prayer given by Pastor Dan Morgan of High Plains Community Church.
He prayed for Barlow and his family to be strong enough to withstand potential smear campaigns from opponents, including “lies” and “attacks” intended to misinform voters.
Before the event started on the front lawn of the Wright Centennial Museum, Barlow said he’s heard the criticism before that some Republicans aren’t “conservative enough.”
A former U.S. Marine, Barlow said he doesn’t buy that, instead saying instead that the real measurement of effective leadership is getting the job done and doing it with integrity.
He said he chose Wright for his announcement for several reasons important to him. One is that his wife, Kelly, is from Wright.
Another is that his fourth-generation family ranch is nearby, where he was raised and learned what he called important Wyoming values.
“It’s a special place, it’s our home,” he told the crowd of about 100 gathered for the announcement.
“As a Wyoming native, I grew up on the family ranch southwest of Gillette,” he continued. “There, working alongside my family, I learned the values that defined our way of life.
“Hard work, integrity and respect for the land.”
Barlow also remarked that he won’t get caught up in smear and misinformation campaigns.
The Rally
The announcement took on an air of a low-key rally under bright sunshine and just enough breeze to fly the American and Wyoming flags planted behind Barlow’s podium.
The crowd interrupted his address several times to clap, cheer and give him standing ovations as “Barlow for Governor” signs lined the roadway.
His campaign also is embracing Barlow’s connection to Wyoming, incorporating the family brand into his campaign material, the Bar-Lo. It’s a long bar over the “LO” in his last name.
Wright Mayor Ralph Kingman introduced Barlow, highlighting his ability to cut through politics and get things done.
“If it wasn’t for Eric, we probably wouldn’t have a four-lane on 59,” he said.
That’s a reference to widening state Highway 59 between Gillette and Douglas from two to four lanes. It had become one of the most dangerous roads in the state with impatient drivers trying to pass oil field trucks.
It’s much safer now that there are passing lanes, Kingman said.
Another significant contribution Barlow made to the town of Wright came after the 2020 U.S. Census and redistricting.
“When they did redistricting, they wanted to put Wright with Converse County and Weston County, and leave us out of Campbell County,” Kingman said. “The (town) council agreed that we don’t want no part of that. And he did get it where we stayed in Campbell County.”
Only Wants To Be Governor
First elected to represent House District 3 in 2012 and serving for 10 years in the state House, including his last two as speaker, he was elected in 2022 to fill the Senate District 23 seat.
Barlow also said that while other prominent Republicans have held off making decisions on running for governor, he had no reason to.
Those others may have options to consider in their political careers, he said, but he only wants to be governor.
Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.
