Despite having consistently high approval ratings for President Donald Trump, Eric Barlow, a prominent Republican candidate for governor in Wyoming, has often voted against legislation supporting the MAGA agenda on illegal immigration.
State Sen. Barlow, who previously served as the speaker of the Wyoming House, has collaborated with Democrats on issues like sanctuary cities and preventing public benefits for undocumented individuals.
Other candidates in the upcoming Republican primary include Megan Degenfelder, who has received Trump’s endorsement and will take office as the state’s superintendent of public instruction in 2023.
Brent Bian, a retired colonel from the Marine Corps, is also in the running for the Republican nomination.
During his time as a state representative in 2016, Barlow voted against a bill aimed at restricting public welfare programs exclusively to U.S. citizens and legal residents, effectively allowing illegal immigrants access to state benefits.
He also opposed a bill that sought to prohibit sanctuary cities in Wyoming for three consecutive years. However, in 2025, he reversed his stance and supported a sanctuary city ban that was successfully implemented.
Despite this change, Barlow has occasionally diverged from mainstream conservative beliefs on immigration, even after Trump began his second term. For instance, in February 2025, he voted against a comprehensive immigration bill that aimed to impose penalties for transporting and employing illegal immigrants, as well as requiring proof of citizenship for public services.
Trump has publicly backed Degenfelder, encouraging her to launch a gubernatorial campaign shortly after she assumed office. Reports suggest she is giving strong consideration to this path.
Trump stated that Degenfelder’s potential governorship would guarantee a focus on border security, addressing immigration crimes, and upholding law and order.
He also expressed unwavering support for her candidacy by urging, “Run, Megan, run!”
Degenfelder is expected to face off against Bian in future campaign debates, both of whom have voiced support for stricter immigration regulations. Bian mentioned he wishes to work closely with ICE.
Degenfelder asserted, “If you’re here legally, you don’t have to worry about anything. If you’re not, it’s time to go home.”
