Former Wyoming Schools Chief Jillian Balow Jumps Into Crowded US House Race

With input from WyoFile, Oil City News, and FOX News.

Jillian Balow, Wyoming’s former top education official, is officially running for Congress.

Balow, a Republican who previously served as Wyoming’s superintendent of public instruction, announced Tuesday that she’s entering the race for the state’s lone seat in the US House of Representatives. Her announcement makes her the third Republican to jump into what’s shaping up to be a competitive primary.

“Wyoming has a history of sending warriors to Washington, and we need one now,” Balow said in a statement.

Calling herself a “relentless fighter,” she said her campaign will focus on defending Wyoming’s energy economy, protecting constitutional freedoms and making sure rural communities aren’t ignored in DC.

The House seat is open because Rep. Harriet Hageman is running for US Senate following Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ decision to retire at the end of her term. So far, the race has drawn only Republicans — no Democrat has announced a bid yet.

Balow will face Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Reid Rasner, a Casper entrepreneur who previously ran for US Senate. Former President Donald Trump has not endorsed anyone in the House race, though he’s already backed candidates in Wyoming’s Senate and governor contests.

Balow has leaned hard into Trump-aligned messaging, saying she wants to support the former president and work alongside Wyoming’s GOP delegation to keep the state “strong, free and thriving.”

Balow was born in Laramie, raised in Gillette, and earned her education degree from the University of Wyoming, later adding a master’s degree from Regis University. She spent about a decade teaching in elementary and secondary schools before moving into state government.

She served as a policy adviser under former Gov. Matt Mead and held leadership roles in Wyoming’s education agency and the Department of Family Services before becoming superintendent of public instruction in 2015 — a role she held until 2022.

During her time leading Wyoming schools, Balow steered the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, pushed civics education and launched a statewide K-12 computer science initiative. Her tenure was also marked by outspoken opposition to critical race theory, a stance that earned her support from conservative voters and criticism from others.

In 2022, Balow left Wyoming to become Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction under Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, where she emphasized parents’ rights and local control. She resigned about 14 months later amid fallout from a major budget shortfall at the agency, though her resignation letter did not publicly explain the decision.

Since then, Balow has worked in the private sector, including a role with an education technology company.

While education is a big part of her background, Balow’s campaign is pitching a broader conservative platform. She’s highlighting support for domestic energy production, agriculture, gun rights, veterans, small businesses, and Wyoming’s outdoor lifestyle. She also describes herself as an avid hunter and fisherman with deep ties to agriculture and FFA.

“I believe Wyoming leads best when we stand firm on conservative principles and deliver real results,” Balow said. “This campaign is about protecting what makes Wyoming strong and ensuring our state has a confident, independent voice in Congress.”

With three Republicans now in the race — and more possibly waiting in the wings — Wyoming’s House contest is quickly becoming one to watch.