Wyoming Freedom Caucus members split on who should be governor

Despite being in the Wyoming Freedom Caucus together, neither Rep. Ken Pendergraft nor Rep. Jeremy Haroldson were shocked Thursday to find they’re endorsing different candidates in the Wyoming governor’s race. Pendergraft, a Republican of Sheridan, announced Thursday morning that he’s endorsing Brent Bien, a retired Marine Corps Colonel who has been leading a ballot initiative to cut residential property taxes by 50%. Haroldson, a Republican of Wheatland, has endorsed one of Bien’s main opponents: Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder. Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Gillette, is also running for the GOP nomination. The primary election is Aug. 18.

Pendergraft said he’s not surprised at Freedom Caucus members endorsing different candidates. “It’s a silly rumor that we all vote as a bloc and we take our directions from above,” he said. “Yeah, a couple of my fellow members came out and endorsed Megan. I think that’s a horrible mistake. I don’t see Megan as particularly conservative, and I’ve been pretty vocal about that.” He pointed to Degenfelder’s votes on the State Land Board, saying she often votes similarly to Gov. Mark Gordon, who is generally considered a moderate. She’s approved state leasing for wind energy projects, for example. Pendergraft said he doesn’t oppose wind energy but opposes subsidies for it.

As for Bien, Pendergraft said he’s known him for several years. “He’s a bit of a maverick,” said Pendergraft. “I believe he’s by far the best choice. He’s definitely the most conservative.” He also theorized that Degenfelder is using the superintendent’s position as a “springboard” to higher office and said he hasn’t been impressed with her work in the Wyoming Department of Education.

Haroldson said he had an in-depth discussion about the governor’s race with a number of Freedom Caucus members and told them he disagrees with their direction. “My whole deal is this: I think at this point, we need to find a candidate that has Wyoming’s best interest in mind, and who’s electable,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with Brent Bien and his policy and his stances, but I don’t see him having the ability, the finances, nor the option to be elected.” Haroldson noted that Degenfelder won a statewide race for her current post in 2022 and has a voting record. “Honestly I don’t 100% support her voting record, and I’ve told her as much,” he said.

Bien’s campaign outreach manager Cheryl Aguiar said Haroldson’s assessment reminds her of Wyoming Democrats who register as Republicans so they can sway the GOP primary election. “That’s Jeremy,” she said. “I don’t see the difference anymore.” She cast Haroldson’s endorsement of Degenfelder as “disingenuous; hypocritical,” since Haroldson successfully sponsored a 2023 bill barring electors from changing their party affiliation after the candidates’ primary election filing period opens.

Degenfelder’s campaign manager Charlotte Jones responded that Pendergraft’s claims “are simply detached from reality.” “Megan Degenfelder is the true conservative candidate for Governor, with a record of public service to prove it – including protecting girls’ sports, increasing school choice and fighting for property rights and our legacy industries, to name just a few examples,” wrote Jones. “It’s no surprise she’s been endorsed by President Trump, Congresswoman Hageman, and conservative leaders across Wyoming.”

Bien championed a ballot initiative to slash residential property taxes by 50%, slated to reach voters in this year’s general election. He grew up in Laramie and served in the Marines for 28 years, retiring to Wyoming in 2019. He was the first to declare his run for governor in this election cycle. House Speaker Chip Neiman said he isn’t making commitments this early. “I work with Megan, and I haven’t had a sit-down visit with Brent Bien as far as where he’s at or anything – but I like Brent, he’s obviously a conservative guy,” he said. “And Megan has got some real great things that I think she’s done.”