Ex‑Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich Jumps into Wyoming Governor’s Race — but Faces Early Questions

With input from K2 Radio and Wyoming News Now.

A familiar face from northwest politics is trying to shake up the Wyoming governor’s race: former Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has announced he’s running for governor of the Cowboy State, throwing his hat into an increasingly crowded Republican primary.

But even before his campaign really gets started, there are bumps in the road – starting with whether he’s eligible to actually be on the ballot.

Knezovich’s life reads like a cross‑state law enforcement road trip. Born and raised in Wyoming – in Rock Springs and the tiny town of Superior – he moved to Washington in the mid‑1990s to pursue better pay and retirement benefits as a police officer.

He went on to become one of Spokane County’s longest‑serving sheriffs, holding the top job for nearly 17 years before retiring at the end of 2022. His tenure earned him a reputation as a tough, outspoken lawman who wasn’t shy about critiquing political leaders from both major parties.

After returning to his home state, Knezovich stayed involved locally by serving as the Public Safety Director and police chief for the small town of Superior and winning a seat on the Wyoming Community College Board of Trustees in 2024.

On social media Tuesday, he unveiled his campaign, complete with the slogan “Wyoming First.” In his announcement statement, Knezovich called for boosting Wyoming’s economy through energy, manufacturing and tech, defending ranchers and expanding good jobs so young people don’t feel forced to leave the state.

He also emphasized spending discipline – saying he wants to “stop wasting our tax dollars and spending money the government does not have” – and framed his campaign as part of a broader push to revive the American Dream for Wyoming families.

Here’s where it gets tricky: Wyoming’s constitution requires gubernatorial candidates to have been residents for at least five years before election day, and Knezovich only moved back after leaving his sheriff’s post in Spokane in 2022.

He initially joked that he might have to “come back in 2030” because of the rule. But he later suggested he’s consulting an attorney because he and his wife have owned a Wyoming residence for nearly a decade.

That eligibility question gives Wyoming voters an unusual early wrinkle to consider: does a long career outside the state outweigh deep roots and current residency? The answer might not come until a court or election board weighs in down the line.

Knezovich is running as a Republican in what’s already shaping up to be a competitive primary. He says he broadly aligns with policies popular in GOP circles, including a strong national defense and conservative approaches to immigration, while also embracing his own family’s immigrant history.

He acknowledges he wouldn’t necessarily have President Donald Trump’s endorsement – which already seems to be aligned with another candidate – but says the most important support comes from Wyoming voters.

If Knezovich clears the eligibility hurdle and stays in the race, his campaign could shake up the traditional mold of Wyoming gubernatorial politics by leaning heavily on law enforcement credentials and outsider appeal.

It also reflects a broader trend of candidates with boots‑on‑the‑ground public safety experience stepping into political roles, tapping into voter concerns around crime, immigration and community stability.

But the early buzz around his residency highlights how quickly a hopeful’s momentum can hit a constitutional speed bump – especially in a state that prizes both local roots and strict adherence to its rules.

Whether Knezovich’s Wyoming run will take him all the way to Cheyenne remains to be seen, but for now he’s got the talk of the state – and a bit of a legal question to answer before his campaign can really gather steam.