JACKSON, Wyo. — A Teton County resident has announced a bid to occupy the office being vacated by Governor Mark Gordon.
Rebecca Bextel, a small business owner, announced that she is seeking the Constitution Party’s nomination. She made headlines earlier this year after distributing campaign donation checks to various GOP officials on the floor of the Wyoming House of Representatives in Cheyenne.
“I wanted to let everyone know that I am running for the Governor of Wyoming as the Constitutional Party candidate as an insurance policy against Eric Barlow,” Bextel posted to Facebook on Wednesday. “I still support Megan and Brent! They will both by [sic] FANTASTIC! Please vote for them, and I will happily stay home!”
In her post, Bextel referred to other gubernatorial candidates Megan Degenfelder, current superintendent of public instruction for the state, and veteran Brent Bien, both running as Republicans. Her campaign website notes that she sees a run under the Constitution Party as a way to “to allow conservatives two lanes for the same race.”
The Constitution Party does not participate in the state’s primary election; if Bextel clinches the nomination at the state convention in June, she will move to the general election ballot.
Her stated campaign priorities — described on her website as “America first, Wyoming always” — include limited government, individual liberty, energy dominance and “strong families,” which she delineates as anti-abortion, pro-parental rights and pro-school choice.
Barlow, Bien, Degenfelder and Democrat Gabriel Green of Sheridan will appear on primary ballots in August.
