Welcome to the Barlow for Wyoming Newsletter - your hub for campaign news, information, and upcoming events. |
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Gratitude in the Cowboy State
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Happy Thanksgiving from the ranch.
It was a quiet dinner this year, which gave plenty of time for gratitude and reflection. Thank you to everyone who worked through the holiday weekend serving meals, working in industry, healthcare, ranching, and our military, as well as others who keep our state moving. We appreciate you.
Personally, this is a year of additional gratitude for the overwhelming number of prayers, money, and support Kelly and I have received from those who have encouraged our efforts in the campaign. We see and are grateful for every hug, handshake, and welcome.
Before the holiday, I spent time with young professionals in Casper, where I learned about their perspectives. Retention of these folks is high on my priority list. I was inspired by how they expressed their loyalty and love for our state, and how invested they are in their role in Wyoming's future. I look forward to hearing more from these groups across the state during my travels.
Wyoming is a vast and wonderful place, and looking over the plains (whether through the windshield or the wind) leaves me feeling refreshed and thankful to live here.
- Eric
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Ride with Barlow for Wyoming |
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Eric's campaign is powered by folks who believe in Wyoming’s values of hard work, integrity, and community. Your contribution keeps us moving forward to build a stronger future for our state.
👉 Join the ride — chip in today! |
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LISTENING AND LEARNING
Last week, I met with members of the construction industry at the CTE event and with the Young Professionals group in Casper to listen directly to Wyoming's younger generation of workers about what keeps them here, and what draws them back home to Wyoming. Their perspectives matter, and they’ll help shape the decisions we make to keep Wyoming a place where young families can build their future.
Thank you to everyone who joined the conversations.
We’ll be holding more listening sessions across the state in the weeks ahead. I look forward to hearing from you. |
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ARE YOU THE CONNECTION?
Are there folks in your neck of the woods that Eric and Kelly need to meet? Could you be the person or group that connects them? Let us know if you'd like to host an informal get-together with Eric to help him share his plans for moving our state forward. Lots of 2026 dates are still available. You can log your interest on our website or get in touch with us at scheduler@barlowforwyo.com. |
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BARLOW GEAR IS HERE!If you ride for the brand, join us with Barlow for Governor gear! Ball caps, jackets, and t-shirts are available here! |
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Not for Sale: Standing Against Federal Overreach on Our Lands |
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This is In recent days, I’ve heard from a remarkable number of people across Wyoming about a proposal in the U.S. Senate to sell off federal public lands. I hear your concerns—and I share them.
What’s notable is what I haven’t heard. No one—from the people in my district to local governments to outdoor recreation advocates to land-use organizations—is calling for this kind of federal action. Simply put, this proposal does not reflect the needs or values of the people of Wyoming.
Public land is not just scenery—it’s our heritage, our livelihood, and our shared responsibility. From the open range to the high country, we take pride in stewarding these lands and developing their resources responsibly. These federal lands belong to all Americans, and Congress has a duty to care for them in a manner that supports multiple uses and the public good—not to put them up for sale without input from the communities that depend on them.
The current proposal appears to be the proverbial “camel’s nose under the tent.” It opens the door to a top-down, quota-driven approach to land sales that prioritizes numbers over people and bypasses the safeguards that protect our local voice. Wyoming doesn’t need a sweeping, one-size-fits-all federal plan. We need practical, community-led solutions grounded in local knowledge and respect for our treasured heritage.
Before moving forward, Congress should take the time to fully understand the impact on states like Wyoming and make sure they get it right. There is already a legal and functioning process in place to purchase or exchange federal land when there is a clear need. We’ve used, and are currently using this process in Wyoming—successfully—including in my district, and it can serve as a guide for future cases. Is the process perfect? No. It could be improved, and those improvements should be part of the conversation, especially during confirmation hearings for nominees to federal land management agencies.
Moving forward with legislation that encourages broad land sales—without thoughtful review, clear criteria, or local input—is a mistake.
Any policy involving public land must be carefully crafted with respect for the people who live closest to those lands. Each of our counties has its own land use plans, developed with public input and tailored to its unique needs. Any federal action that ignores them is shortsighted and harmful.
It’s worth noting that this issue isn’t just coming from Washington. Earlier this year, the Wyoming Senate considered a resolution calling for the federal government to turn all public lands over to the states. That resolution failed—and rightly so. It lacked clear guidelines for land management, oversight, and public accountability. I voted against it then, and I would vote against it again.
Our state has always valued collaboration over command-and-control. We know how to work through tough issues with transparency and local leadership. The current proposal, however, doesn’t reflect that spirit. It undermines thoughtful, locally driven land management in favor of a rushed and ill-advised federal directive.
If Congress is serious about improving land management, the solution isn’t selling off public lands—it’s engaging with local communities, streamlining existing processes, and strengthening partnerships on the ground. That’s how we protect access, preserve use, and ensure the land remains a benefit to all, not just to the highest bidder.
Some folks are fond of using Wyoming’s Code of the West, and one comes to mind now… “some things aren’t for sale.” Wyoming’s federal public lands should be one of them. |
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Barlow raises $350,000
in less than 3 months |
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In less than three months since launching his campaign, nearly 350 Wyomingites from all regions of the state and walks of life have stepped up to donate—more than 80 in the last week alone—raising nearly $350,000 to date. These honest, hardworking people have come together in support of Barlow’s vision for steady leadership, local control, and Wyoming-based solutions that reflect the state’s values of freedom, community, and respect for the land.
In addition to the strong grassroots financial performance, the campaign has rapidly expanded its statewide presence as friends and neighbors host meet-and-greets, organize events, and share Barlow’s message in their hometowns. The campaign has already:
- Visited 18 counties and 31 communities across Wyoming—from small ranching towns to growing energy hubs—listening and learning directly from local residents about their priorities.
- Participated in or hosted more than 120 campaign events across the state, including local business tours, parades, and community forums focused on Wyoming’s future.
- Welcomed more than 550 volunteers eager to help share the campaign’s message in their communities, both in person and online.
What Eric, Kelly, and the campaign team are hearing across Wyoming includes a desire for steady, respectful leadership that prioritizes local control and always puts Wyoming first—not outside wish lists or fear tactics.
“These milestones underscore a campaign built on authentic connections and steady, Wyoming-driven leadership,” Barlow said. “Our campaign is rooted in Wyoming values—hard work, honesty, and community. The strong and growing support we see across the state shows that people want a governor who listens, learns, and leads with Wyoming’s best interests at heart.”
The campaign credits its early success to a mix of in-person events, grassroots outreach, and a strong digital presence—which gets accomplished despite Eric’s flip phone. New strategies will soon roll out, engaging even more citizens across the state.
“Wyomingites want a leader who understands our opportunities and challenges firsthand, from energy and agriculture to education and healthcare,” Barlow added. “I’m humbled by the trust people are placing in me, and I’ll keep working to earn it every day.”
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