4 days ago
Cowboy State Republican who mounted gubernatorial bid 'isn't conservative enough,' Freedom Caucus chair says
Wyoming state Sen. Eric Barlow, a Republican and Marine Corps veteran who previously served as the state House speaker, has launched a gubernatorial bid in the Cowboy State.
"Eric Barlow is running for Governor because he believes Wyoming deserves strong, respectful leadership rooted in service, not politics," his campaign website states.
Barlow has served in the state Senate since 2023, and previously served multiple terms in the state House.
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State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, who chairs the conservative Wyoming Freedom Caucus, blasted Barlow in a statement that she emailed to Fox News Digital, claiming that he is not "conservative enough for" the state.
"If the last two election cycles in Wyoming have taught us anything, it's that Wyomingites want real, conservative leadership. Senator Barlow isn't conservative enough for Wyoming, and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is confident that come 2026, the people will elect a true conservative for governor," she asserted, referring to Barlow as "a liberal Republican who loves big government."
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"During his tenure in the Wyoming Legislature, Barlow made it a priority to fight against conservative principles. He's consistently fought for ever-growing state spending, votes against state sovereignty, sponsors woke legislation, and as Speaker of the House, presided over a special session during Gordon's COVID lockdowns that failed to protect the rights of the people of Wyoming," she asserted.
Barlow pushed back in a statement, asserting that his record demonstrates that he is "a conservative Republican."
"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. I'm not interested in going low or tearing others down — I'm focused on building Wyoming up. As covered by Cowboy State Daily, 'if it gets ugly, it's not going to come from me, and I won't get caught up in smear and misinformation campaigns,'" Barlo said in the statement obtained by Fox News Digital after publication on Thursday.
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"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. I've fought to defend the rights of all Wyomingites, including the Second Amendment, the sanctity of life, private property rights, and safeguarding public lands— because that's what matters to the people I serve," he continued.
"This campaign isn't about labels or political scorekeeping. It's about ensuring Wyoming remains strong, free, and prosperous for future generations. I'll continue focusing on the issues that affect our families, our communities, and our way of life, and I welcome honest, respectful debate about the best path forward for our great state."
Wyoming's gubernatorial contest will take place next year.
The state's current governor, Republican Mark Gordon, has served in the role since article source: Cowboy State Republican who mounted gubernatorial bid 'isn't conservative enough,' Freedom Caucus chair says
