Kenneth
R. Casner
Democratic small-business owner and military veteran Kenneth R. Casner is running for Wyoming governor in 2026.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 5
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Kenneth R. Casner is a Democratic candidate for Wyoming governor in the November 3, 2026 general election. Born in Cheyenne in 1950, he graduated from East High School in 1968 and is associated with Elk Mountain, Wyoming. 1213
Casner is a military veteran and small-business owner. According to Your Wyoming Link, he served three years in Vietnam and subsequently spent 25 years in the Wyoming Army National Guard. He also owned and operated a café in Elk Mountain for approximately 28 years beginning in 1998. 21
He has sought elected office on multiple prior occasions. Oil City News reports that he ran for the Wyoming House in 2016, for governor in 2018, and for the U.S. Senate in 2020, though no elected office is identified in available sources. 13
Casner is not the incumbent governor; incumbent Mark Gordon is term-limited and ineligible to seek another term. 6
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- Governor, Wyoming
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 29newsCasner tells Wyoming Public Media 'free and open elections' is his top issue
In a September 29 interview published October 2 by Wyoming Public Media, Casner said his top issue was free and open elections, arguing that people should be able to participate in the election process without joining a political party.
Governor candidates highlight top issues facing Wyoming · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29newsCasner proposes 8% lodging tax, property tax elimination, and universal healthcare in interview
In the same September 29 interview, published October 9 by Wyoming Public Media, Casner discussed healthcare, taxes, and small business. He proposed an 8% lodging tax as part of tax restructuring, suggested property taxes could be eliminated including for those 65 and older, and advocated for universal healthcare with a possible network of clinics and rural transportation.
Interview with Ken Casner, Democratic Party candidate for governor · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 12newsCasner confirmed on November general-election ballot alongside Barlow and Bextel
By September 12, 2026, Oil City News reported that Constitution Party candidate Rebecca Bextel would join Republican Eric Barlow and Democrat Kenneth Casner on the November ballot for Wyoming governor.
What would it take for a third-party candidate to win Wyoming's race ... · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18filingCasner wins Democratic nomination for Wyoming governor
Kenneth R. Casner won the Democratic Party nomination for Wyoming governor on August 18, 2026, according to his candidate profile and Wyoming Public Media.
Kenneth Casner (D) – Wyoming Governor 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 17newsCasner reported $0 raised and $0 spent; pledged not to accept campaign donations
As of August 17, 2026, Wyoming campaign-finance records cited in a Smarter.Vote candidate profile showed Kenneth R. Casner had raised $0 and spent $0. The profile also noted he had pledged not to accept campaign donations.
Kenneth Casner (D) – Wyoming Governor 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Democratic National Committee (DNC) organizationThe DNC congratulated Casner on winning the Wyoming Democratic primary. DNC Chair Ken Martin stated the DNC was 'ready to help organize and mobilize voters to elect candidates like Casner.' The release describes support for Casner but does not explicitly label itself a formal endorsement. democrats.org · Aug 18, 2026
Sources 7
- [1] Interview with Ken Casner, Democratic Party candidate for ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Interview with Ken Casner, Democratic Party candidate for governor(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Governor candidates highlight top issues facing Wyoming(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] Kenneth Casner (D) – Wyoming Governor 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [5] What would it take for a third-party candidate to win Wyoming's race ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
- [6] DNC Congratulates Kenneth Casner on Winning Wyoming's ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 19, 2026
- [7] "The people are the party," Ken Casner's priorities in the Governor ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026