Jim Barlow currently holds a commanding lead in the Wyoming gubernatorial race, capturing 61 percent of the early vote . He is poised to replace the term-limited Mark Gordon in January.
The 61 Percent Lead Over Casner
Jim Barlow has established a significant early advantage in the Wyoming gubernatorial election, leading his opponent, Casner, by 34 percentage points. According to the report, Barlow holds approximately 61 percent of the vote compared to Casner's 27 percent, based on roughly four percent of ballots counted by 8:00 p.m. local time on election night.
This electoral momentum places Jim Barlow in a strong position to assume executive office. He will replace Republican Governor Mark Gordon, who is leaving office due to term limits, marking a pivotal transition for the state's political leadership.
Barlow's Resistance to HB0135 and Sanctuary Bans
Jim Barlow's political identity is deeply tied to his history as a state representative , where he frequently clashed with the conservative movement's preference for strict immigration enforcement. As reported by the source, Barlow voted against HB0135 in 2016, a bill that sought to restrict public welfare programs exclusively to American citizens and lawful residents.
This resistance extended to local governance, as Jim Barlow voted against legislation banning sanctuary cities and counties for three consecutve years between 2018 and 2020. This pattern suggests a long-term commitment to local autonomy over state-mandated immigration crackdowns, a stance that often puts him at odds with the hardest-line elements of the Republican base.
The 2025 Shift Toward HB0133
The legislative trajectory of Jim Barlow saw a notable pivot in 2025. In a departure from his previous three-year streak of opposition, Barlow voted in favor of HB0133, which banned sanctuary cities and subsequently became law.
This shift toward supporting HB0133 indicates an evolution in how Jim Barlow views the balance between state mandates and local control. It suggests that while he previously championed local autonomy, he eventually found a threshold where state-level uniformity on sanctuary policies became acceptable.
The February 2025 Omnibus Bill Rejection
Despite his vote for HB0133, Jim Barlow continues to reject comprehensive federal-style immigration enforcement at the state level. In February 2025, Barlow voted against an omnibus immigration bill that would have penalized the hiring, hiding, or transporting of illegal aliens and mandated cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This specific rejection leaves several questions regarding Jim Barlow's future relationship with federal authorities.. It remains unclear whether the incoming governor will seek a middle ground or continue to block state-level cooperation with ICE, and the reporting does not provide a detailed platform from the opponent, Casner—a Vietnam War veteran and perennial candidate—regarding these specific policy divergences.
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