58.6%

#5 of 50

Mark Gordon

Wyoming R | 2nd term

2019-01-07Took Office 7 yrs, 5 moIn Office 263Metrics Scored 969 / 1653Total Points

Section A: Governance

260/300

87%

Section B: State Outcomes

562/975

58%

Section C: Oath Fidelity

+147 (-378 to +378)

Section A — Governance 260/300

9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.

Fiscal Responsibility — 38/45 (84%) 15 metrics

On-time budget submission

Submitted biennial budget proposals on time for all 4 legislative cycles (2019-2026). WY citizen legislature meets 40 days in budget years, 20 in general — Gordon's office consistently delivers executive budget recommendations ahead of Dec committee hearings. FY2025-26 biennial budget of $3.4B general fund / $10.9B total enacted March 2024.

WY Governor's Budget Office; WY A&I Budget Division; NASBO State Expenditure Reports

Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual

CREG forecasts swing widely with commodity prices — mineral taxes fund ~60% of state revenue. Oct 2025 CREG: investment earnings surpassed mineral revenue for the first time in WY history. Severance taxes beat Jan estimates by $22.2M, FMRs by $19.6M in FY2025, but coal production fell 24.5% in 2024 (87.26M tons vs 115.64M in 2023), making forecasting structurally unreliable.

WY CREG Oct 2025 Report; WY Economic Analysis Division; EIA Coal Production Data

Rainy day fund management

PWMTF corpus reached $11.2B market value (July 2024), up from ~$8.5B at start of tenure — record FY2025 earnings of $803.8M (62.6% above prior record). LSRA rainy day fund at $1.869B. PWMTF Reserve Account $698M (June 2024). Per capita reserves among highest in nation for pop ~577K.

WY State Treasurer FY2024 Annual Report; CREG Oct 2025; WY PWMTF Performance Reports

State credit rating trajectory

Wyoming carries AAA credit rating from S&P (confirmed). No general obligation state debt — one of only 2-3 states nationally with zero GO bonds. S&P cites above-average income levels, strong governor statutory budget-cutting authority, and massive permanent fund as key factors. Creditworthiness essentially at ceiling.

S&P Global Ratings — Wyoming AAA; WY State Treasurer Debt Reports; Moody's — Wyoming

Pension funding ratio trajectory

WRS Public Employee plan funded ratio ~76% — projected fully funded by 2047. HB 41 (2024) shifted from fixed rates to Actuarially Determined Contribution (ADC) effective July 1, 2024, improving long-term sustainability. All WRS plans showed gains on actuarial asset values; normal costs stable. Turnover peaked near 25% pre-2022 comp adjustments, pressuring pension dynamics.

WY Retirement System Actuarial Valuation 2024; HB 41 (2024); WRS Board Minutes May 2024

Debt per capita trajectory

Zero general obligation bond debt — WY ranks 50th (lowest) among states in total state debt. Census Bureau data: WY per capita state debt among lowest nationally. No GO bonds issued during Gordon's 7+ year tenure. State funded entirely through mineral revenue, investment returns, and fees — no borrowing needed.

WY State Treasurer Reports; Census Bureau State Debt Data; Ballotpedia WY State Debt

CAFR/ACFR published on time

FY2025 ACFR published Dec 2025 — unmodified (clean) audit opinion on all financial statements. GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded for 28th consecutive year (FY2024). State Auditor's Office completed COBOL code conversion and NextGen payroll activation during FY2025.

WY State Auditor FY2025 ACFR (Dec 2025); GFOA Certificate of Achievement Records; SAO Annual Report FY2025

Audit findings — material weaknesses

Clean (unmodified) audit opinions every year of Gordon's tenure (FY2019-FY2025). No material weaknesses identified. GFOA Excellence in Financial Reporting maintained continuously. State Auditor operates independently with full cooperation from executive branch agencies.

WY State Auditor Reports FY2019-FY2025; GFOA Certificate Records; WY ACFR Audit Reports

Federal grant fund accounting

Federal grants managed within compliance across all Gordon-era single audits (FY2019-FY2025). WY received ~$4.7B in total federal funds (USASpending). CARES/ARPA COVID funds ($1.25B+) accounted for without material findings. $70.5M ARPA broadband allocation managed through WY Business Council.

WY Single Audit Reports FY2019-FY2025; USASpending.gov — Wyoming; NTIA BEAD Records

Anti-fraud controls — federal programs

Minimal pandemic UI fraud — WY's ~577K population and small claims volume limited exposure. DWS implemented identity verification protocols during COVID surge. No major OIG findings specific to WY. Anti-fraud controls adequate given scale — fewer than 3,000 peak weekly claims vs hundreds of thousands in large states.

WY DWS UI Performance Data; DOL OIG Pandemic Reports — Wyoming; WY DWS Annual Reports

Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment

STRUCTURAL CRISIS: WY coal output plunged from 496M tons (2008 peak) to ~87M tons (2024) — 82% decline. Mineral taxes still fund ~60% of revenue. Oct 2025 CREG: investment earnings surpassed mineral revenue for first time. No income/corporate tax limits diversification. PWMTF earnings increasingly bridge the gap but coal mine closures accelerating — Kemmerer, Black Butte, Eagle Butte all slated to close by 2027.

EIA WY Coal Production Data; CREG Oct 2025; Cowboy State Daily Coal Reporting; WY A&I Budget Analysis

Capital budget execution rate

Capital program modest but executed. Major projects include UW Science Initiative Building ($100M+), I-25/I-80 interchange reconstruction in Cheyenne, and WYDOT's $74.8M statewide construction contracts (Dec 2024). I-80 corridor improvements ongoing across multiple segments. Broadband infrastructure: $348M BEAD program approved (Dec 2025) to connect 39,000 locations.

WY A&I Capital Construction; WYDOT Project Records; NTIA BEAD Approval — Wyoming Dec 2025

Vendor/contractor oversight

Standard procurement oversight through A&I Division. No procurement scandals during 7+ year tenure. Small state government (~6,200 FTE authorized positions — down 274 from 2018 levels) limits contractor complexity. Vendor management functional; no documented bid-rigging or favoritism cases.

WY A&I Procurement Records; WY A&I HR Data; WY State Auditor Reviews

Federal funding maximization

WY receives among highest per capita federal aid — 48% federally owned land generates PILT payments and mineral royalties (65% of mineral estate is federal). Captured $348M BEAD broadband (Dec 2025), $70.5M ARPA broadband, and IIJA highway/bridge funds. Gordon requested FEMA fire management grants (2025 wildfires). Some reluctance on discretionary programs aligned with conservative philosophy.

USASpending.gov — Wyoming; BLM PILT Data; NTIA BEAD; FEMA FMAG — Wyoming

Program eligibility verification systems

WY's ~577K population yields small public benefit caseloads — DFS and DWS eligibility verification functional. SAVE system used for immigration status verification on all state-administered programs. Medicaid caseload ~80K (no expansion — limited to traditional categories). DWS UI verification protocols implemented during pandemic without major backlogs.

WY DFS Eligibility Data; WY DWS Reports; DHS SAVE Program — Wyoming

Legislative Relations — 34/39 (87%) 13 metrics

Signature legislation enacted

Signed landmark legislation: DAO LLC recognition (2021 — first state), Stable Token Act (2023 — first state-issued stablecoin FRNT launched), SPDI banking charter (Kraken). HB 133 (2025) felony-level anti-sanctuary law. SF 0017 carbon capture EOR stimulus. Created Chancery Court (2019) for business litigation. WY became national leader in blockchain/fintech regulatory framework under Gordon.

WY Legislature Bill Records; SF0127 (2023 Stable Token); HB38 (2021 DAO); WY Chancery Court Act (2019)

Veto override rate

Multiple line-item vetoes exercised — legislature overrode 4 of 25 budget vetoes in 2024 session (all on state employee salary provisions). Senate overrode veto of abortion ultrasound bill (2025). Gordon vetoed SF0127 (agency rule nullification, 2025) and SF13 (federal land litigation authorization, 2024) on separation-of-powers grounds. Override rate low overall.

WY Legislature Journal 2024-2025; Governor's Veto Records; WyoFile Override Reporting

Bipartisan bills signed

WY legislature is ~85-90% Republican — D caucus too small for meaningful bipartisanship metric. Consensus bills on natural resource management, water compact issues, and broadband expansion passed with near-unanimous votes. Blockchain/fintech legislation attracted bipartisan national attention. Partisan floor fights rare given R supermajority — divisions are intra-party (Freedom Caucus vs establishment).

WY Legislature Vote Records 2019-2025; WY Legislature Composition Data

Special sessions called

Called one special session (May 15, 2020) — COVID-19 response, conducted electronically with Capitol as anchor. Focused on allocating CARES Act federal funds. No other special sessions called in 7+ year tenure. Redistricting handled in regular 2022 session (Gordon let map become law without signature, citing concerns about deviation limits but prioritizing orderly elections).

Governor's Proclamation May 2020; WY Legislature Special Session Records; HB100 Redistricting (2022)

Executive orders — legal challenges

Conservative use of executive orders — no successful legal challenges. COVID-era executive orders (mask mandate Dec 2020 - Mar 2021, gathering restrictions Nov 2020) were time-limited and lifted promptly. Wildfire emergency declaration (Aug 2025) for 95,000-acre Red Canyon Fire properly within emergency authority. No court injunctions against any Gordon executive order.

WY Court Records; Governor's Executive Orders 2019-2025; WY AG Legal Review Records

Line-item veto usage

Active use of line-item veto under Art. 4 Ã‚Â§9 — issued ~25 line-item vetoes on FY2025-26 budget alone. Legislature overrode 4 (all re: state employee salary transfer restrictions). Gordon has vetoed this salary provision 6 times in 7 budgets; legislature overrode 5 of 6. Gordon frames vetoes as separation-of-powers defense — salary oversight belongs to executive branch A&I/HR divisions.

WY Constitution Art. 4 Ã‚Â§9; WY Legislature Override Records 2024-2026; WyoFile Budget Reporting

Regulatory burden change

WY maintains among lowest regulatory burdens nationally — no income tax, no corporate tax, minimal licensing requirements. Gordon vetoed SF0127 (2025) that would have let legislators nullify agency rules, protecting balanced regulatory process. Blockchain/fintech legislation (SPDI Act, DAO, Stable Token) created first-in-nation frameworks that attracted crypto companies (Kraken SPDI charter). No new major regulatory burdens imposed.

WY Secretary of State Admin Rules; Cato Institute Freedom Index; SF0127 Veto (2025)

Budget negotiation success

All 4 biennial budgets passed on time (FY2019-20, FY2021-22, FY2023-24, FY2025-26) — zero government shutdowns or continuing resolutions. FY2025-26 budget: $3.4B GF / $10.9B total. Gordon's $111.8M state employee raise proposal (2026 session) resisted by legislature — demonstrates active negotiation even with R supermajority. Supplemental budgets also passed without conflict.

WY A&I Budget Records; WY Legislature Session Records 2019-2026; Cowboy State Daily Budget Reporting

Bill signing rate on popular legislation

Signed 30+ blockchain/fintech bills making WY the national leader — DAO LLC (2021), Stable Token Act (2023, launching first state stablecoin FRNT), SPDI bank charter, digital asset property rights (UCC amendments). HB 133 anti-sanctuary law popular in conservative state. Signed property tax relief bills (2024). Vetoed charter school expansion cap removal (HB 94, 2025) — unpopular with school choice advocates.

WY Legislature Bill Records 2019-2025; Governor's Signing Records

Legislative relationship

Cooperative with R supermajority but growing tension with Freedom Caucus wing. Legislature overrode 4 budget vetoes (2024) and abortion bill veto (2025). Gordon vetoed SF13 (federal land litigation bill) and SF0127 (rule nullification) as legislative overreach — both reflecting intra-party friction. Won 2022 primary with 52.3% against lesser-known challengers, but 2018 primary was only 33% in crowded field including Harriet Hageman (who later won Congressional seat).

WY Legislature Records 2024-2025; WY 2022 Primary Results; WyoFile Political Coverage

Implementation of voter-approved measures

WY has initiative process but no ballot measures reached voters during Gordon's tenure — extremely low usage rate in smallest-population state. Constitutional amendment process requires legislative passage in 2 consecutive sessions then voter approval. Gordon complied with all constitutional requirements including allowing redistricting map (HB100, 2022) to become law without signature.

WY Secretary of State Ballot Initiative Records; WY Constitution Art. 97; HB100 (2022)

Task force follow-through

ENDOW economic diversification: mixed results — blockchain/fintech framework succeeded (Kraken, FRNT stablecoin), but coal decline outpacing diversification (87M tons in 2024 vs 496M peak). Carbon capture: SF0017 EOR stimulus enacted; Spiritus Orchard One DACCS facility planned (2M tons CO2/yr). Western Interstate Hydrogen Hub concept advancing. UW School of Energy Resources CCCC center active. Diversification progress real but insufficient against coal's collapse.

ENDOW Council Reports; WY Energy Authority Hydrogen Hub; UW SER CCCC; EIA Coal Data

Policy reversals under pressure

Remarkably consistent positions throughout 7+ year tenure. Maintained moderate Republican stance despite Freedom Caucus pressure — did not shift on COVID mandates (imposed/lifted mask mandate on his own timeline), federal land management approach, or executive authority defense. Vetoed both left-leaning and right-leaning overreach bills. No major policy reversals documented.

Governor's Policy Statements 2019-2025; WyoFile Political Analysis; Cowboy State Daily

Appointments & Staffing — 31/36 (86%) 12 metrics

Appointee criminal/ethics issues

Zero appointee criminal charges or substantiated ethics complaints across 7+ years and all cabinet-level positions. Clean appointment record for agency directors (A&I, DEQ, DFS, DWS, DOH, DOC, DOT, etc.). No forced resignations due to misconduct. Small government with ~12 agency directors limits exposure but record is genuinely clean.

WY Court Records; WY Ethics Commission Records; Governor's Appointment Records 2019-2025

Agency head vacancy rate

All major agency head positions filled throughout tenure — no extended vacancies at director level. Appointed 2 Supreme Court justices (John G. Fenn Dec 2021, Robert Jarosh Jan 2024) and Chancery Court judge (Ben Burningham, Nov 2024) through Judicial Nominating Commission process. Small state government (~12 cabinet agencies) makes vacancy management straightforward.

Governor's Appointment Records; WY Judicial Nominating Commission; Ballotpedia WY Appointments

State employee turnover

State employee turnover peaked near 25% pre-2022 — critical problem. Gordon's 2022 compensation plan brought some relief but employees still paid 87.6% of 2024 market value (8.7% lag; nursing >21% lag). Authorized FTE positions shrank by 274 since 2018. DOC staffing crisis: 33% vacancy at State Penitentiary (Rawlins), 43% at Women's Center (Lusk). Gordon proposed $111.8M for raises in 2026 — legislature resisted.

WY A&I HR Data; WY DOC Staffing Reports; Cowboy State Daily Budget Reporting; Governor's Budget Proposal 2026

Diversity of appointments

WY is 91.5% white, 0.9% Black, 10.6% Hispanic, 2.7% Native American (Wind River Reservation — Eastern Shoshone/Northern Arapaho). Extremely limited racial diversity in appointments reflects demographics. No documented diversity hiring initiative at cabinet level. Gender representation in agency leadership moderate. Appointments largely drawn from WY's ranching, energy, and legal communities.

Census ACS 2023 WY Demographics; Governor's Appointment Records; WY A&I HR Data

Judicial appointment quality

Judicial Nominating Commission (7 members: chief justice, 3 bar-selected attorneys, 3 governor-appointed laypeople) provides 3 nominees per vacancy. Gordon appointed Justice John G. Fenn (Dec 2021) and Justice Robert Jarosh (Mar 2024) to WY Supreme Court — both qualified, no controversies. Created Chancery Court (2019) for specialized business/trust litigation — appointed Ben Burningham as judge (Nov 2024).

WY Judicial Nominating Commission; Ballotpedia WY Supreme Court Vacancies 2021, 2024; WY Chancery Court Act

State workforce pay competitiveness

State employees paid 87.6% of 2024 market value — 8.7% overall market lag. Nursing positions lag >21%. Energy sector and private mining pay significantly more. DOC raised CO pay from $20.66 to $25.26/hr — recruited 26 new officers but 130+ vacancies remain statewide (521 uniformed positions, ~25% vacant). DOH spent ~$17M on contract labor in FY2025 at 2-3x cost of FTE. Gordon made raises 'top priority' since 2022.

WY A&I Compensation Data 2024; WY DOC Staffing Reports; WY DOH Contract Labor Data; BLS OES WY

Whistleblower protection

Whistleblower protections codified in WY Statutes Ã‚Â§9-11-103 — prohibits retaliation against state employees who report waste, fraud, or abuse. No documented whistleblower retaliation cases during Gordon's tenure. Small-state government culture and direct access to leadership may reduce need for formal protections but statutory framework is in place.

WY Statutes Ã‚Â§9-11-103; WY State Auditor Records; WY A&I HR Records 2019-2025

Inspector General independence

WY State Auditor is independently elected (not governor-appointed) — provides structural independence. Department of Audit also independently elected. Legislature's Management Audit Committee conducts additional oversight. Gordon maintained full cooperation with all audit bodies — 28 consecutive years of GFOA certificates confirmed under tenure. No attempts to undermine audit independence.

WY Constitution (elected auditor); WY State Auditor Office; WY Legislature Management Audit Committee

State employee morale

Mixed morale — turnover peaked near 25% pre-2022 indicating significant dissatisfaction, especially in DOC (33-43% vacancy rates) and DOH (nursing lag >21% of market). Gordon's 2022 compensation plan and ongoing raise proposals show awareness. Recruitment improved after DOC pay increase ($20.66 to $25.26/hr) — 26 new COs hired. Remote postings (Rawlins, Lusk) remain challenging for retention.

WY A&I Employee Data; WY DOC Staffing Reports; Governor's Compensation Proposals 2022-2026

Nepotism/cronyism

No documented nepotism or cronyism during 7+ year tenure. Gordon's background: rancher (Merlin Ranch, Johnson County) and former State Treasurer (appointed 2012, elected 2014). Career path is public service, not patronage. Small state where ~577K residents and tight-knit community provide natural transparency — appointments subject to immediate scrutiny by small press corps and legislature.

WY Ethics Records; WY Financial Disclosures; Governor's Biography

Senior staff criminal charges

Zero criminal charges against any senior staff member across Gordon's entire 7+ year tenure (Jan 2019 - present). No forced resignations for misconduct. No federal investigations of administration officials. Clean record across chief of staff, agency directors, and governor's office staff.

WY Court Records; Federal Court PACER — Wyoming District; Governor's Staff Records

Agency performance accountability

Agency performance mixed. Strengths: State Treasurer's investment returns (PWMTF $11.2B, record $803.8M FY2025 earnings — Gordon served as Treasurer 2012-2019, set strong foundation). DEQ energy permits processed efficiently. Weaknesses: DOC staffing crisis ($15M/yr for out-of-state inmate housing — 128 inmates in Mississippi); DFS failed all 7 CFSR outcomes in Round 4 federal review (2024); DOH contract labor costs $17M in FY2025.

WY Agency Annual Reports; ACF CFSR Round 4 WY Final Report (2024); WY DOC Budget Data; State Treasurer Reports

Emergency Management — 31/36 (86%) 12 metrics

Disaster declaration timeliness

Timely disaster declarations throughout tenure. Aug 2025: emergency declaration for multiple wildfires including 95,000-acre Red Canyon Fire, 20,000-acre Sleeper Ranch Fire, 3,500-acre Spring Creek Fire — activated National Guard, secured FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (75% federal cost share). May 2020: COVID-19 special session. Regular winter storm and flooding declarations for I-80 corridor closures.

Governor's Executive Orders 2019-2025; FEMA FMAG Records — Wyoming; WY OHS Records

FEMA Public Assistance secured

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) secured for Aug 2025 wildfires — covers 75% of eligible firefighting costs. Previous FEMA declarations secured for flooding and winter storms. WyoFile reported concern about proposed FEMA policy changes that could raise minimum damage threshold for Public Assistance — would disproportionately hurt small-population states like WY where individual events may not meet dollar thresholds.

FEMA PA Records — Wyoming; FEMA FMAG Aug 2025; WyoFile FEMA Policy Reporting

Emergency reserve adequacy

Extraordinary reserves for emergencies: PWMTF corpus $11.2B (July 2024), LSRA $1.869B, PWMTF Reserve Account $698M. Per capita reserves dwarf every other state (~$24,000/resident in combined reserves for pop ~577K). LSRA projected at $1.675B by June 2026 after appropriations. No state better positioned financially for emergency response relative to population.

WY State Treasurer FY2024 Report; CREG Oct 2025 LSRA Projections; WY A&I Budget Data

Lives lost — preventable from state failure

No preventable mass casualty events from state infrastructure or management failure during 7+ year tenure. I-80 corridor (highest-wind corridor in nation — 70+ mph gusts common) managed with closures rather than risking lives. No bridge collapses, dam failures, or infrastructure-related deaths attributable to state negligence. Wildfire evacuations (2025) conducted without loss of life.

WY OHS Records; CDC WONDER — Wyoming; WYDOT Safety Records; FEMA — Wyoming

Post-disaster recovery

Post-disaster recovery competent for scale of events. 2025 wildfire recovery: FEMA FMAG covered 75% of firefighting costs for Red Canyon (95,000 acres), Sleeper Ranch (20,000 acres), Spring Creek (3,500 acres) fires. Flooding recovery along Yellowstone area watersheds managed through FEMA PA. Small population and vast territory (97,813 sq mi — 10th largest state) limit recovery complexity but also limit responder availability.

FEMA PA Records — Wyoming; WY OHS After-Action Reports; Governor's Emergency Declarations 2019-2025

Public health emergency response

COVID response: Gordon imposed mask mandate Dec 2020, lifted Mar 16, 2021. He and wife Jennie contracted COVID during Nov 2020 surge. Vaccination rate ~47% — bottom 4 states nationally. Death rate: ~1,241 per million (40th worst). Created 5 task forces (Mar 2020). Called special session May 2020 for CARES Act fund allocation. Low population density helped initially but anti-mandate sentiment and limited rural healthcare infrastructure worsened outcomes.

CDC COVID Data Tracker — WY; Johns Hopkins COVID Mortality; WY DOH Dashboard; Governor's Pandemic Orders

Infrastructure failure prevention

No major infrastructure failures during tenure. Electric grid connected to Western Interconnection — avoided Texas-style grid isolation failures. WY is major energy producer (coal, wind, natural gas) — net energy exporter. WYDOT partnered with Google (2024) to widen access to I-80 road closure data. Water infrastructure aging in agricultural areas but no catastrophic failures. $348M BEAD broadband expansion approved to address critical rural connectivity gaps (39,000 unserved locations).

WECC Grid Reports; WYDOT Partnership Records; NTIA BEAD — Wyoming; WY Water Development Commission

National Guard deployment appropriateness

National Guard deployed appropriately for wildfires (Aug 2025 — Adjutant General authorized to activate members under emergency declaration for Red Canyon, Sleeper Ranch, Spring Creek fires) and COVID support operations. No controversial deployments. Guard not used for political purposes or border posturing. WY Air National Guard (Cheyenne) and Army Guard units maintained readiness throughout tenure.

WY National Guard Records; Governor's Emergency Declaration Aug 2025; WY Military Department

Emergency communication

Emergency communication effective given vast, sparsely populated state (5.8 people/sq mi — 2nd lowest density). WYDOT 511 system and WyoRoad.info provide real-time I-80 corridor updates. COVID communication: regular press briefings, 5 task forces established. 2025 wildfire: coordinated with OHS, county emergency managers, and federal agencies. Small press corps (Casper Star-Tribune, WyoFile, Cowboy State Daily) ensures concentrated message reach.

WY OHS Communication Records; WYDOT 511 System; Governor's COVID Press Briefings; WyoFile

Interagency coordination

Strong interagency coordination — critical given 48% federal land ownership requiring BLM, USFS, NPS, and BIA partnership. 2025 wildfires: OHS coordinated state, federal, and county resources for 3+ simultaneous fires across NW Wyoming. COVID: 5 task forces spanned health, economy, education. WGA Chair (2024) — led inter-state coordination on water, energy, and wildfire. Small government where agency heads have direct relationships enhances real-time coordination.

WY OHS After-Action Reports; WGA 2024 Annual Meeting; Governor's Task Force Records

Pandemic response metrics

WY COVID metrics poor: death rate ~1,241 per million (40th worst nationally), vaccination rate ~47% (bottom 4 states). Ranked 3rd 'least safe' state during pandemic. Gordon imposed mask mandate only briefly (Dec 2020 - Mar 2021). Limited rural public health infrastructure — some residents 100+ miles from hospital. Only 2 Level I/II trauma centers statewide. Anti-mandate culture and high gun ownership correlate with vaccine resistance.

CDC COVID Data Tracker — WY; Johns Hopkins Mortality Data; WY DOH Vaccination Data; WalletHub Safety Rankings

Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure

Disaster preparedness adequate for risk profile: wildfire (2025 Red Canyon 95K acres, Sleeper Ranch 20K acres), I-80 blizzard closures (regular), drought, and flooding. FEMA FMAG secured (75% cost share). Concern: proposed FEMA policy raising PA damage thresholds could disproportionately impact WY's small communities. OHS coordinates with 23 county emergency managers. Emergency reserves ($1.87B LSRA) provide financial buffer unmatched in any comparably-sized state.

WY OHS Preparedness Records; FEMA — Wyoming; WyoFile FEMA Policy Analysis; LSRA Balance Data

Transparency & Ethics — 34/39 (87%) 13 metrics

FOIA/open records compliance

WY Public Records Act compliance adequate — law does not require statement of purpose for requests and does not restrict record use. Multiple state agencies (DEQ, DOC, Highway Patrol) use NextRequest digital platforms for records requests. Some concerns about mineral lease transparency given 65% federal mineral estate. A&I maintains public records portal. Small government generally responsive but limited staff for complex requests.

WY AG Public Records Decisions; WY A&I Public Records Portal; WY DEQ NextRequest; MuckRock WY Guide

Governor's schedule availability

Governor's schedule posted on governor.wyo.gov. Regular community appearances across WY's 23 counties. Gordon's rancher persona — accessible at local events, rodeos, and community gatherings in a state where the governor may be recognized at the grocery store. Press availability moderate; Gordon not known for frequent pressers but responds through office. Morning Consult: 65% approval (mid-2025) suggests accessible image.

WY Governor's Office Website; Morning Consult Q2 2025; Governor's Public Schedule

Campaign finance compliance

Campaign finance reports filed on time for 2018 and 2022 election cycles — no violations. 2018 primary: raised significant funds in competitive 6-candidate R primary (won with 33%). 2022 general: raised and spent commensurate with WY scale. No FEC issues. WY Secretary of State maintains all filings publicly. No dark money controversies specific to Gordon campaigns.

WY Secretary of State Campaign Finance Records; FEC — Mark Gordon; 2018/2022 Campaign Filings

Financial disclosure

Financial disclosures filed annually per WY Ethics and Disclosure Act (due Jan 31). Gordon disclosed: Merlin Ranch (cow-calf operation, Johnson County — Angus/Hereford cross), state grazing leases, and agricultural water rights. Former State Treasurer (2012-2019) — investment expertise disclosed. WY requires officials with >10% interest in any entity to disclose state contracts >$5,000. Disclosures are public through Secretary of State.

WY Financial Disclosure Records; WY Ethics & Disclosure Act; WY Secretary of State Filings; WyoFile Disclosure Reporting (Mar 2025)

Open meetings compliance

No documented Open Meetings Act violations by Gordon administration during 7+ year tenure. WY Public Meetings Act (W.S. Ã‚Â§16-4-401 et seq.) requires advance notice and public access. Executive branch boards and commissions (Stable Token Commission, OGCC, DEQ boards) maintain compliant meeting schedules. Legislature's meeting procedures also compliant throughout COVID transition to electronic sessions (May 2020 special session).

WY Open Meetings Act (W.S. Ã‚Â§16-4-401); WY AG Open Meetings Opinions; WY Stable Token Commission Meetings

Open data portal

WyOpen.gov (maintained by State Auditor) provides expenditure transparency — online checkbook for all state spending. Limited compared to larger states but functional. ETS provides WY Unified Network (WUN) for statewide broadband to government facilities. CREG revenue data publicly available. State Treasurer investment performance published monthly. No comprehensive open data portal equivalent to larger states but key financial data accessible.

WyOpen.gov; WY ETS Strategic Plan 2023-2026; CREG Public Reports; WY State Treasurer Monthly Performance

Budget transparency

Budget highly transparent: WY A&I Budget Division publishes full biennial budget proposals, LSO produces fiscal data books (2025 edition Dec 2024), CREG publishes revenue forecasts biannually, WyOpen.gov shows all expenditures. Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee holds public hearings (Dec). FY2025-26 budget: $3.4B GF / $10.9B total — all publicly documented. Gordon's Treasurer background (2012-2019) reinforces financial transparency culture.

WY A&I Budget Publications; WY LSO 2025 Data Book; WyOpen.gov; CREG Reports

Lobbying disclosure

Lobbying registration and disclosure managed through WY Secretary of State — all lobbyists must register before legislative sessions. Energy industry (coal, oil, gas) and agricultural interests are primary lobbying groups in WY. Small legislature (30 Senate, 60 House) and limited session days (20-40 days/year) concentrate lobbying. Compliance standard; no major lobbying disclosure scandals during Gordon tenure.

WY Secretary of State Lobbyist Registration Database; WY Legislature Session Records

IG report publication

State Auditor (independently elected) publishes all reports on sao.wyo.gov — ACFR, single audits, and special reviews. Department of Audit (separately elected) publishes public fund audits on audit.wyo.gov. FY2025 ACFR published Dec 2025 with full public access. GFOA Certificate of Achievement maintained 28 consecutive years — requires publication meeting national standards. All audit reports freely downloadable.

WY State Auditor Website (sao.wyo.gov); WY Dept of Audit (audit.wyo.gov); GFOA Certificate Records

Legislative audit cooperation

Full cooperation with both elected State Auditor and Legislature's Management Audit Committee throughout 7+ year tenure. No instances of executive branch agencies refusing audit access or withholding documents. Unmodified audit opinions every year (FY2019-FY2025) confirm cooperation. Gordon's background as State Treasurer (2012-2019) — the state's chief investment officer — establishes baseline familiarity with audit processes and expectations.

WY State Auditor Records; WY Legislature Management Audit Committee; ACFR Audit Opinions FY2019-FY2025

Press conference accessibility

Moderate press accessibility — WY's press corps is small (Casper Star-Tribune, WyoFile, Cowboy State Daily, WY Public Media, county papers). Gordon holds regular but not frequent press events — rancher temperament, not a media-seeker. COVID briefings were regular during 2020-2021. Budget preview press events held annually. 65% approval (Morning Consult mid-2025) — 4th most popular governor nationally — suggests adequate public communication despite limited formal pressers.

Governor's Office Media Schedule; Morning Consult Q2 2025; WyoFile; Cowboy State Daily

State contract transparency

State contracts published through A&I procurement division and accessible via WyOpen.gov expenditure portal. Small scale (~6,200 FTE state workforce, ~$3.4B biennial GF budget) makes contract universe manageable. DOH contract labor expenditures ($17M FY2025) documented and reviewed by legislature. No bid-rigging or procurement fraud scandals during tenure. WY Ethics & Disclosure Act requires officials to disclose contracts >$5,000 with state.

WY A&I Procurement Records; WyOpen.gov; WY Ethics & Disclosure Act; WY DOH Budget Data

Court order compliance

Full compliance with all court orders during tenure. WY abortion trigger ban (Life Protection Act) — blocked by state district court, Gordon complied with injunction while appealing through proper channels. No contempt findings. No instances of defying judicial authority. Filed amicus brief supporting Utah's federal lands case with U.S. Supreme Court through proper legal channels rather than unilateral action.

WY Court Records; WY District Court Abortion Injunction; WY AG Litigation Records

Ethics & Integrity — 38/39 (97%) 13 metrics

Personal criminal charges

Zero criminal charges, investigations, or grand jury proceedings against Governor Gordon across entire 7+ year tenure. No federal investigations. Clean personal record throughout public service career: State Treasurer (2012-2019) and Governor (2019-present). Background as rancher (Merlin Ranch, Johnson County) and former investment professional — no business controversies.

WY Court Records; Federal Court PACER — WY District; DOJ Records

Ethics complaints — substantiated

Zero substantiated ethics complaints against Gordon throughout 7+ year tenure as governor and prior service as State Treasurer (2012-2019). WY Ethics and Disclosure Act governs conduct. No complaints filed or investigated that resulted in findings. Reputation for personal integrity consistent across political spectrum — even Freedom Caucus critics challenge policy, not ethics.

WY Ethics Commission Records; WY Secretary of State Ethics Filings; Media Coverage Analysis

Gift/travel disclosure

Gift and travel disclosures filed annually per WY Ethics & Disclosure Act. Rancher lifestyle — modest public profile. WGA Chair travel (2024 Annual Meeting, Olympic Valley, CA) and Colorado River compact meetings (Washington, DC) documented as official duties. No luxury travel controversies. Ranch life in Johnson County reinforces grounded, non-extravagant public image.

WY Financial Disclosure Records; WGA 2024 Travel Records; Governor's Schedule

Conflict of interest

Gordon and wife Jennie own Merlin Ranch (cow-calf operation, Angus/Hereford cross, Johnson County) — disclosed state grazing leases in financial filings. Ranch received Society for Range Management 'Excellence in Rangeland Stewardship' award (2009). Agricultural water rights and state land policy could present conflicts — managed through disclosure per WY Ethics Act. No recusal controversies documented but structural overlap between ranching interests and public land/water policy exists.

WY Financial Disclosures; WyoFile Conflict of Interest Reporting (Mar 2025); Society for Range Management; WY Ethics Act

State resources for political purposes

No documented misuse of state resources for political purposes during 7+ year tenure. 2022 reelection campaign conducted separately from official duties. No state vehicles, staff, or facilities used for campaign activities. Governor's mansion used only for official functions. Term-limited (cannot run again) — reduces political incentive for resource misuse in final years.

WY Ethics Records; WY Campaign Finance Records; Governor's Office Budget

Truthfulness in official statements

Reputation for straightforward, understated communication — consistent with rancher background. No documented misleading public statements. COVID communications balanced: acknowledged virus severity while respecting individual liberty. Budget communications direct about coal revenue challenges. Vetoed SF13 (2024) and SF0127 (2025) with detailed, principled explanations citing separation of powers — not political spin. PolitiFact and fact-check organizations have no significant flags.

Governor's Public Statements; Veto Messages 2024-2025; WyoFile; PolitiFact

Protection of ethics infrastructure

Ethics infrastructure maintained throughout tenure: WY Ethics & Disclosure Act enforced, State Auditor and Department of Audit independently elected (not subject to governor removal), Legislature's Management Audit Committee operational. No attempts to weaken ethics oversight, defund audit functions, or limit disclosure requirements. Vetoed SF0127 (rule nullification, 2025) partly to protect administrative oversight processes.

WY Ethics Budget Records; WY Constitution (elected auditors); SF0127 Veto Message (2025)

Emoluments/self-dealing

No documented self-dealing or emoluments violations. Gordon's ranch (Merlin Ranch) and state grazing leases disclosed per Ethics Act — leases predate governorship and are at standard rates. Former State Treasurer role (2012-2019) involved managing $20B+ in state investments with clean audit record. No personal financial benefit from any policy decision identified. Ranch operation modest by WY standards.

WY Financial Disclosure Records; WY State Treasurer Historical Records; WY Ethics Act Compliance

Campaign donor to state contract pipeline

No documented pay-to-play or donor-to-contract pipeline. 2018 campaign donors included WY ranching, energy, and business interests — standard for state. Small state with ~$3.4B biennial GF budget and transparent procurement limits opportunity for corruption. WY Ethics Act requires disclosure of contracts >$5,000 with officials holding >10% business interest. No investigative reporting has identified quid pro quo patterns.

WY Campaign Finance Records; WY A&I Procurement Records; WY Ethics & Disclosure Act; WyoFile

Foreign influence

No foreign influence concerns. No FARA registrations connected to Gordon or senior staff. WY's economy is domestically focused (coal, oil, gas, ranching, tourism). Blockchain/fintech legislation attracted legitimate international companies (Kraken — US-based) through transparent legislative process, not private deals. No foreign government lobbying of governor's office documented.

DOJ FARA Database; WY Secretary of State Lobbyist Registration; WY Legislature Records

Sexual harassment claims

Zero sexual harassment claims against the governor or arising from governor's office during 7+ year tenure. No #MeToo-era allegations. No settlements or NDAs. Small office staff and modest government culture. Gordon's personal conduct has been above reproach — no tabloid coverage, no personal scandals.

WY A&I HR Records; WY AG Records; Governor's Office Personnel Records

Records preservation

No documented records preservation violations. WY State Archives (under Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources) maintains state records per statutory retention schedules. State Auditor's COBOL-to-NextGen migration (FY2025) included vendor archiving for historical data preservation. No allegations of destroyed records, hidden communications, or use of personal email for official business.

WY State Archives; WY Records Retention Schedules; SAO NextGen Migration Records

Revolving door

Clean career path: rancher (Merlin Ranch, Johnson County) Ã¢â€ ’ appointed State Treasurer 2012 (filling vacancy after Joseph Meyer's death) Ã¢â€ ’ elected Treasurer 2014 Ã¢â€ ’ elected Governor 2018 Ã¢â€ ’ reelected 2022. No private-sector lobbying or corporate board positions between public service roles. Term-limited; no indication of planning to lobby post-governorship. Career exemplifies public service pathway without revolving door concerns.

WY Ethics Records; Governor's Biography; Ballotpedia — Mark Gordon Career Timeline

Program Management — 27/36 (75%) 12 metrics

Fraud losses in state programs

Minimal fraud losses across state programs — WY's ~577K population (smallest state) creates naturally small caseloads. DWS UI pandemic fraud negligible compared to large states. DFS Medicaid/SNAP caseloads small (~80K Medicaid). SAVE system used for immigration-related eligibility verification. No major OIG or federal audit findings identifying significant fraud in WY programs during Gordon tenure.

WY DWS Reports; DOL OIG — Wyoming; CMS Reviews — WY; USDA FNS Integrity Reports — WY

Program integrity — eligibility verification

Small caseloads managed with standard error rates. DFS administers Medicaid (~80K enrollees — no expansion), SNAP, TANF with eligibility verification systems. SAVE immigration status verification in place. However, Round 4 CFSR review (2024) found WY not in substantial conformity with 6 of 7 systemic factors — indicating program integrity issues in child welfare specifically. Benefits programs otherwise functional at small scale.

WY DFS Reports; CMS Reviews — Wyoming; ACF CFSR Round 4 WY Final Report (June 2024)

IT system modernization

Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) maintains WY Unified Network (WUN) — broadband to K-12 schools, community colleges, and agencies statewide. State Auditor completed COBOL-to-NextGen payroll migration (FY2025) — significant legacy system modernization. Gordon requested $6.8M for 37 new cybersecurity positions across state government. ETS Strategic Plan 2023-2026 active. Virtual infrastructure centralized in state data center. IT adequate for government scale but limited compared to larger states.

WY ETS Strategic Plan 2023-2026; SAO NextGen Migration; ETS BFY2024-2025 Annual Report; Governor's Cybersecurity Budget Request

Permit processing timeliness

Energy permits processed efficiently — critical for WY's $47B GDP (heavily energy-dependent). Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) and DEQ manage ~54,000 active oil/gas wells. Coal mine permits through DEQ Land Quality Division. Gordon serves on OGCC (governor is ex officio member). Business permits quick — no income tax, no corporate tax, minimal licensing. WY consistently ranked among top states for business-friendly permitting environment.

WY DEQ Permit Data; WY OGCC Records; BEA SAGDP — Wyoming; Forbes/CNBC Business Climate Rankings

Child welfare system

CFSR Round 4 (2024): WY found NOT in substantial conformity with all 7 outcomes and 6 of 7 systemic factors — failed Case Review, QA, Training, Service Array, Foster Parent Licensing. Only passed Agency Responsiveness to Community. 71 cases reviewed across 9 judicial districts. Program Improvement Plan submitted Sept 2024. Methamphetamine-driven cases and rural foster care placement shortages remain systemic challenges.

ACF CFSR Round 4 WY Final Report (June 2024); WY DFS PIP (Sept 2024); WY DFS Foster Care Data

Medicaid program management

WY has NOT expanded Medicaid — one of 10 remaining non-expansion states. Uninsured rate 13.9% (above national 11%). ~19,000 residents stuck in coverage gap — earn too much for traditional Medicaid, too little for ACA marketplace subsidies. Rural county uninsured rates: Niobrara, Big Horn, Washakie >20%. Legislature rejected expansion for 10+ years citing fear federal match will decrease. Hospitals absorb tens of millions in uncompensated care annually. Only state with single 4-year university — healthcare workforce pipeline limited.

KFF Medicaid Fact Sheet — WY (May 2025); Census ACS WY Uninsured; WyoFile Medicaid Expansion Reporting; CBPP Coverage Gap Analysis

Environmental program

DEQ manages EPA-delegated programs (Clean Air, Clean Water, RCRA). Mining reclamation through Land Quality Division — critical given declining coal mines (Kemmerer, Black Butte, Eagle Butte closures 2026-2027 will require extensive reclamation). Air quality generally good except Upper Green River Basin ozone issues (oil/gas development). Sage-grouse core area strategy ongoing. Carbon capture: SF0017 EOR stimulus enacted; Spiritus DACCS facility (2M tons CO2/yr) planned. DEQ also manages Class VI CO2 injection wells.

EPA State Program Evaluations — WY; WY DEQ Reports; WY DEQ Land Quality Division; Carbon Capture Ready — Wyoming

Transportation project delivery

WYDOT manages 6,800+ miles of state highways for 5.8 people/sq mi. I-80 corridor (nation's highest-wind stretch — 70+ mph common) requires constant maintenance and frequent closures. WYDOT approved $74.8M in construction contracts (Dec 2024) including I-80 work. I-25/I-80 Cheyenne interchange reconstruction underway. WYDOT partnered with Google (2024) for real-time road closure data. I-80 bridge replacement project Cheyenne-Pine Bluffs ($11+ mi, completion 2026). IIJA funds captured for highway/bridge work.

WYDOT Project Records; WYDOT-Google Partnership (Apr 2024); FHWA Data — Wyoming; IIJA Allocations

Unemployment insurance system

DWS UI system handled pandemic surge without catastrophic backlogs — WY's small population meant peak weekly claims were manageable (under 10,000 vs hundreds of thousands in large states). Identity verification implemented. Post-pandemic unemployment low: 3.3% (2024). UI trust fund solvent. Veterans program operated through DWS workforce centers. No documented major processing failures or IT system crashes during COVID surge.

WY DWS UI Performance Data; DOL UI Weekly Claims — WY; BLS LAUS WY (2024); WY DWS Annual Reports

Veterans services

Veterans' Home of Wyoming (Buffalo, not Thermopolis — under DOH supervision) provides assisted living and skilled nursing communities. WY Veterans Commission coordinates benefits. DWS operates veterans employment program through workforce centers. WY Veterans Hotline: 1-800-833-5987. Small veteran population served adequately. Benefits booklet updated Apr 2024. WY Military Department manages Guard and veteran coordination. No documented service failures or facility violations.

WY Veterans' Home (DOH); WY Veterans Commission; WY DWS Veterans Program; NASVH Directory — Wyoming

Housing program effectiveness

WY housing bifurcated: most of state affordable (median ~$280K) BUT Teton County/Jackson Hole median $2-3M (average hit $7M record in 2024) — 97% of Teton County land is federal, constraining supply. Housing costs 142% above statewide average in Teton County; average rent $3,366/mo for 2BR (Q4 2024). Gordon backed community workforce housing solutions against Freedom Caucus opposition. 440 West Kelly (2023): 12 workforce condo units in Jackson. Rural housing aging but not crisis-level outside resort areas.

Census ACS WY Housing; Cowboy State Daily Jackson Housing; Teton County Workforce Housing; WyoFile Gordon Housing Policy

Corrections system

DOC staffing CRISIS: 130+ vacancies out of 1,023 funded positions (521 uniformed); 33% vacancy at State Penitentiary (Rawlins), 43% at Women's Center (Lusk). 128 inmates housed in Mississippi at $15M/yr cost. DOC sought $9.3M emergency funds. CO pay raised $20.66Ã¢â€ ’$25.26/hr — recruited 26 new officers. Need 25 more to reopen 168-bed B Unit at Rawlins and bring inmates home. Chronic staffing shortage is Gordon administration's most significant corrections failure.

WY DOC Reports; Corrections1 DOC Staffing Reporting; WY DOC Emergency Funding Request; BJS NPS — Wyoming

Federal Relations — 14/15 (93%) 5 metrics

Federal funding captured

WY receives among highest per capita federal funding nationally — 48% of land federally owned (BLM 18.4M surface acres, 42.9M mineral acres). Federal mineral royalties provide ~25% of state revenue. PILT payments compensate for non-taxable federal land. Captured $348M BEAD broadband, IIJA highway funds, FEMA FMAGs. ARPA funds ($1.25B+) managed without major findings. Per capita federal aid consistently in top 5 states. Gordon maintained strong federal funding relationships regardless of administration.

USASpending.gov — Wyoming; BLM PILT Data; Census Federal Aid per capita; NTIA BEAD; FEMA — WY

Federal corrective action plans

Minimal federal corrective actions across most programs. Exception: DFS required CFSR Program Improvement Plan (submitted Sept 2024) after failing 6 of 7 systemic factors in Round 4 review. Federal highway, EPA-delegated, and UI programs in compliance. Single audit reports clean. BEAD broadband proposal approved in 2 stages (Vol I Jan 2024, Vol II Jul 2024) — indicating responsive federal grant administration.

Federal Agency Reviews — Wyoming; ACF CFSR PIP; NTIA BEAD Approval; WY Single Audit Reports

Interstate cooperation

Served as WGA Chair (2024) — hosted Annual Meeting in Olympic Valley, CA. Led Colorado River compact negotiations: attended historic Washington, DC meeting with 7 western state governors, stating he was 'wholeheartedly encouraged' by path forward. Active in Upper Basin coordination (WY, CO, UT, NM). Joined multi-state amicus brief supporting Utah's federal lands case at U.S. Supreme Court. Interstate wildlife (elk, grizzly, wolves) and water management cooperative. Western Interstate Hydrogen Hub partner.

WGA 2024 Annual Meeting; WyoFile Colorado River Compact Reporting; WY AG Amicus Filings; WY Energy Authority Hydrogen Hub

Local government relations

Strong local government relations — WY has only 23 counties and ~99 municipalities. Governor can maintain personal relationships with most county commissioners and mayors in nation's smallest-population state. Gordon backed Jackson Hole workforce housing solutions against Freedom Caucus legislative interference. Coordinated with county emergency managers during 2025 wildfires. Gordon's budget proposed sales tax redistribution to support local governments (Nov 2025 budget preview). WY Association of Counties and Municipalities engaged on tax and resource issues.

WY Assoc of Counties; WY Assoc of Municipalities; WyoFile Local Government Reporting; Governor's Budget Preview Nov 2025

Federal litigation costs

Active but measured federal litigation: filed lawsuit challenging BLM's Public Lands Rule (2024, with Utah). Joined amicus brief urging U.S. Supreme Court to hear Utah's federal lands sovereignty case. Challenged Biden coal leasing moratorium in Powder River Basin. Vetoed SF13 (2024) which would have authorized legislature to direct AG to sue federal government — Gordon preferred executive branch control of litigation strategy. Costs manageable relative to WY's reserves but fights are existential for state's resource economy.

WY AG Litigation Records; WY v. BLM Public Lands Rule (2024); SF13 Veto Message; Cowboy State Daily Federal Lands Reporting

Constituent Service — 13/15 (87%) 5 metrics

Constituent inquiry response

WY's ~577K population (smaller than most US cities) means Gordon is personally accessible — recognized at grocery stores, rodeos, and community events. Governor's office constituent services handle modest inquiry volume. 23 counties allow direct engagement with local officials who relay constituent concerns. Rancher background creates genuine connection with WY's agricultural and rural communities. Response times faster than any large-state equivalent by structural advantage.

Governor's Office Constituent Services; WY County Commission Reports; Governor's Public Appearances

Town halls held

Regular community appearances across WY's 23 counties — feasible in nation's smallest-population state. COVID town halls shifted to virtual format (2020-2021). Budget preview community events held in Cheyenne with public access. WGA Chair duties (2024) included public-facing Western interstate events. No evidence of avoiding public forums or limiting access. Approval rating 65% (Morning Consult mid-2025, 4th highest nationally) suggests constituent engagement translates to satisfaction.

Governor's Office Schedule; Morning Consult Q2 2025; WGA 2024 Events

Constituent satisfaction

Morning Consult approval: 65% (Q2 2025, 4th most popular governor nationally), 74% (Nov 2023, 2nd most popular), 66% (2022, top 5). Consistently among America's most popular governors despite Freedom Caucus criticism from the right. 24% disapproval, 11% no opinion (mid-2025). Popularity spans general electorate; intra-party tension from populist wing does not significantly erode broad approval.

Morning Consult Governor Approval Tracker Q2 2025; Morning Consult Nov 2023; Cowboy State Daily Approval Reporting

ADA compliance

Standard ADA compliance maintained across state facilities and programs. WY's sparse population (5.8 people/sq mi) creates unique accessibility challenges — some state services 100+ miles from residents. State website (wyo.gov) meets basic accessibility standards. Veterans' Home of Wyoming (Buffalo) meets ADA requirements for residential facility. No documented DOJ ADA enforcement actions against WY during Gordon tenure.

WY DOH ADA Compliance; DOJ ADA Reviews — Wyoming; WY A&I Facilities Management

Electoral accountability

2018 primary: won crowded 6-candidate R field with 33% (38,951 votes) — beat Foster Friess and Harriet Hageman. 2018 general: 67.4% (highest R gubernatorial % in WY history at the time, surpassing Matt Mead's 65.68% in 2010). 2022 primary: won with comfortable margin — more than doubled closest challenger Brent Bien (not Hageman, who ran for Congress). 2022 general: 74.0%. Strong electoral mandate across both cycles despite populist intra-party pressure.

WY Secretary of State Election Results 2018, 2022; Ballotpedia WY Gubernatorial Elections; KGAB Primary Results

Section B — State Outcomes 562/975

13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.

Economic Performance — 30/75 (40%)

BEA SAGDP: WY GDP ~$47B — heavily energy-dependent. BLS LAUS: unemployment 3.3% (2024 — low). Census ACS: median household income $72,495 (moderate — boosted by energy wages). BUT: coal production down 40%+ from peak. Economic diversification limited. ENDOW initiative making slow progress. GDP growth below national average. Economy at structural transition point.

Population & Demographics — 15/75 (20%)

Census 2025: WY population 588,753 — smallest state but growing modestly at 0.3% (2,031 people). 2024 growth was 0.4% (2,551 added). Net migration is primary driver: 1,732 net in-migration in 2025 (domestic 1,474 + international 258). Natural increase minimal at 295 (6,070 births - 5,775 deaths). Since 2020 Census, added 11,881 residents (2.1% total), ranking 29th nationally in growth. Aging baby boomers and declining fertility shrink natural increase contribution. Some coal counties losing population while Teton and Laramie counties grow. Won 2022 reelection with 74% — population broadly supports governance despite stagnation concerns.

Budget & Fiscal Health — 55/75 (73%)

No state debt (best in nation). PMTF $8.5B (massive per capita). LSRA $1.8B. No income tax. BUT: structural revenue problem — mineral tax revenue declining with coal. Future fiscal sustainability depends on energy transition and fund earnings. Currently strong but long-term trend concerning.

Public Safety — 55/75 (73%)

FBI UCR 2024: WY violent crime rate 203.4 per 100K — among 5 safest states nationally (U.S. average 359.1). Rate rose 6.4% from 2023 to 2024 (one of largest annual increases) but remains well below national average. Property crime fell 16.2% — second-largest decline nationally after Nebraska. Overall crime rate 1.91 per 1,000 residents, less than half the national median of 4.0. Methamphetamine trafficking on I-80 corridor remains primary drug threat. DUI rates high per capita (rural driving distances, limited transit). Gun ownership highest per capita nationally but gun violence below national average. No major law enforcement scandals under Gordon.

Education Outcomes — 40/75 (53%)

NAEP 2024: WY outperforms national average — 4th grade reading 36% proficient (6 pts above U.S.), 4th grade math 46% proficient (7 pts above), ranking 6th and 2nd nationally respectively. 8th grade reading at national average (29%), math 30% (3 pts above). Per-pupil spending $21,793 (cost-adjusted, 6th highest nationally) funded by mineral wealth. HS graduation rate 81.6% in 2024 (stable, +0.2%). Heritage Education Freedom Report Card ranks WY favorably on parental choice. University of Wyoming is only 4-year institution — brain drain significant as graduates leave for larger states. Small class sizes are structural advantage.

Healthcare Access — 25/75 (33%)

Census ACS: uninsured 10.8% (among higher — no Medicaid expansion). CDC: life expectancy ~77.0 (near national). Frontier healthcare challenges — some residents 100+ miles from hospital. Mental health services extremely limited. Highest suicide rate in nation per capita. Only 2 hospitals with trauma centers.

Infrastructure Quality — 40/75 (53%)

WYDOT maintains 6,844-mile state highway system (2nd largest per capita nationally) for 588K population. I-80 is critical east-west transcontinental corridor; I-25 connects Cheyenne-Casper. IIJA delivering $1.8B over 5 years for roads/bridges. Broadband expansion critical — FCC reports 26% of rural WY lacks fixed broadband access. ConnectWY initiative targeting $100M+ in federal broadband grants. No public transit beyond minimal local service (WY Transit Authority serves seniors/disabled). Airport infrastructure limited to 10 commercial airports. Water infrastructure aging — Bureau of Reclamation projects serve agricultural backbone. WYDOT winter operations clear 14M lane-miles annually on I-80 snow corridor.

Cost of Living — 45/75 (60%)

BEA RPP: 96-99 (near national average). Most of state affordable. EXTREME exception: Teton County/Jackson — median home $1.5M+, among most expensive in America. No income tax. Property tax moderate. Energy costs moderate. Overall affordable except Jackson Hole.

Transparency & Accountability — 45/75 (60%)

WyOpen.gov (State Auditor's online checkbook) provides quarterly-updated expenditure data searchable by agency, vendor, location, and date — covering all state payments. Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. 16-4-201) grants broad access with no statement of purpose required. Multiple agencies use NextRequest portals (DEQ, DOC, Campbell County) for streamlined FOIA processing. Designated Public Records Person for each agency listed on A&I website. Small government (~9,000 state employees) aids responsiveness. Limited press corps (WyoFile, Casper Star-Tribune, 2 TV stations) reduces investigative pressure. Mineral lease transparency concerns persist — federal BLM lease data more opaque than state systems. Budget transparent through CREG quarterly reports.

Controversy & Scandal — 60/75 (80%)

Remarkably low controversy for 7+ year tenure. Zero ethics investigations, zero staff scandals, zero criminal charges against administration officials. 2022 Republican primary was 52.3% — uncomfortably close against Trump-aligned challenger Brent Bien, exposing intra-party tension. Won general with 74% (historically large margin). Freedom Caucus in WY Legislature pushed constitutional carry and anti-ESG measures — Gordon signed selectively. COVID vaccination rate among lowest nationally (~55% fully vaccinated) drew criticism but reflected constituent preferences. Vetoed SF 109 (anti-trans athlete bill in 2023) then allowed similar legislation later. Energy transition debate ongoing but managed without major political fallout. Overall: among least controversial governors in the nation.

Historical Context — 40/75 (53%)

Won 2022 reelection with 74.0% — largest gubernatorial margin in WY history and largest in the nation that year. Predecessor Matt Mead (2011-2019) left no structural debt; Gordon maintained that legacy with PMTF growing from $7.2B to $11.2B. Historic firsts: investment earnings surpassed mineral revenue for first time in WY history (Oct 2025 CREG). Championed TerraPower nuclear plant in Kemmerer and BWXT fuel fabrication — first advanced nuclear projects in WY. Led nation on carbon capture legislation. Chokecherry/Sierra Madre wind project (largest in U.S.) advancing under his tenure. Coal decline is existential — production fell from 115.64M tons (2023) to 87.26M tons (2024, -24.5%). ENDOW 2.0 initiative targets tech/finance/tourism diversification but results limited. Legacy depends on whether WY transitions from coal before reserves mask structural decline.

Constituent Verdict — 45/75 (60%)

Won 2018 with 67.4%, 2022 with 74.0% (general). But 2022 primary was 52.3% — uncomfortably close against Trump-aligned challenger. Popular in general elections but vulnerable in R primary. Moderate Republican approach generates broad support but intra-party tension. Overall positive constituent verdict.

Immigration & Law Compliance — 67/75 (89%)

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Section C — Oath Fidelity +147 (-378 to +378)

126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.

+3Exemplary +2Strong +1Adequate 0Neutral -1Concerning -2Failing -3Hostile

Protection of Life

Declaration of Independence; 5th/14th Amendments

Score: 24 Range: -93 to 93 Items: 31

Violent crime rate trend

WY violent crime 207/100K (2023), well below national 364. Trend relatively stable during Gordon tenure with modest fluctuations.

FBI UCR/NIBRS; WY DCI

Homicide rate relative to national average

WY homicide rate ~2.8/100K vs national ~6.3. Below average but small population creates statistical volatility. ~16 homicides/yr in pop 577K.

FBI UCR; CDC WONDER

Homicide clearance rate

WY homicide clearance rate ~55-60%, near or slightly above national average. Small caseload makes percentages volatile.

FBI UCR Supplementary Homicide Reports

Law enforcement staffing adequacy

WY law enforcement ~2.5/1,000 residents. Adequate for sparse population. DCI and Highway Patrol maintain coverage across 97,813 sq mi with 23 counties.

FBI LEOKA; BJS CSLLEA

Drug overdose death rate trend

WY overdose death rate ~18-20/100K, below national ~33. Rural isolation limits distribution but fentanyl increasingly present on I-80/I-25 corridors. Stable, not worsening.

CDC WONDER; NCHS provisional data

Emergency management preparedness

WY OHS well-organized for wildfire, blizzard, and flooding risks. 2025 Red Canyon Fire (95K acres) managed effectively. FEMA FMAG secured promptly.

FEMA SPR; WY OHS

Preventable mass-casualty event response

No mass-casualty events during 7+ year tenure. Wildfire evacuations (2025) conducted without loss of life. I-80 blizzard closures prevent highway fatalities.

FEMA after-action; WY OHS

Infrastructure safety — bridge and road conditions

WYDOT maintains roads across vast territory. Structurally deficient bridges below 6%. I-80 corridor managed safely despite extreme wind conditions. $348M BEAD broadband approved.

FHWA NBI; ASCE WY

Water and dam safety compliance

WY water systems generally compliant. Water Development Commission maintains dam safety. Agricultural water infrastructure aging but functional. No major contamination events.

EPA SDWIS; WY Water Development Commission

Healthcare access — uninsured rate

WY uninsured rate ~11-12%. No Medicaid expansion. Rural healthcare access limited — some residents 100+ miles from hospital. Only 2 Level I/II trauma centers statewide.

Census ACS; KFF State Health Facts

Maternal mortality rate

WY maternal mortality data limited by small population. Rate approximately 15-20/100K, near national average. Small sample creates year-to-year volatility.

CDC WONDER; NCHS

Infant mortality rate

WY infant mortality ~5.0-5.5/1,000 live births, near national average of ~5.6. Small birth population (~6,000/yr) creates statistical noise.

CDC WONDER; NCHS

Self-defense rights — Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground

WY has Castle Doctrine + Stand Your Ground + no duty to retreat + civil immunity for lawful self-defense (WY Stat. Ã‚Â§6-2-602).

WY Stat. Ã‚Â§6-2-602; NRA-ILA

Death penalty procedural safeguards

WY retains death penalty with mandatory appellate review. Last execution 1992. De facto moratorium — no active death row. Adequate procedural safeguards in statute.

DPIC; WY Stat. Ã‚Â§6-2-101

Suicide prevention program funding and outcomes

WY has among highest suicide rates nationally (~27/100K vs ~14 national). Rural isolation and firearms access are contributing factors. State-funded prevention exists but outcomes very poor.

CDC WISQARS; AFSP WY fact sheet

-1

911/emergency response time adequacy

Rural response times inherently longer in nation's least populous state (5.8 people/sq mi). Urban areas (Cheyenne, Casper) meet standards. Many areas 30+ minutes from nearest response.

NFPA; WY EMS registry

Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding

WY overdose deaths below national average. I-80/I-25 corridor interdiction ongoing. PDMP operational. Low population limits scale of crisis but fentanyl growing concern.

SAMHSA; CDC WONDER; WY Board of Pharmacy PDMP

Veteran suicide and healthcare access

WY veteran suicide rate elevated consistent with overall high state suicide rate. Cheyenne VA Medical Center serves state. Limited state-supplemented programs given small budget.

VA SAIL; HUD PIT count

Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement

WY Dept of Agriculture food safety program adequate. No major outbreaks linked to inspection failures. Small food service sector limits exposure.

FDA Conformance; WY Dept of Agriculture

Workplace fatality rate

WY workplace fatality rate ~5-6/100K FTE, above national average due to mining, ranching, and energy extraction industries. Oil/gas and coal mining inherently dangerous.

BLS CFOI

Domestic violence fatality rate and funding

WY has DV programs but rural isolation limits shelter access. Some state-funded programs. DV rate concerning given firearms prevalence and rural dynamics.

NNEDV; WY DFS

Correctional facility death rate and conditions

WY DOC faces staffing crisis — 33% vacancy at State Penitentiary (Rawlins), 43% at Women's Center (Lusk). 128 inmates housed out-of-state in Mississippi ($15M/yr). Conditions strained.

BJS Mortality in Prisons; WY DOC

Pollution-related mortality and environmental health

WY has good air quality overall despite coal/gas extraction. Some ozone nonattainment in Upper Green River Basin from gas drilling. Dust concerns from Great Plains agriculture. Generally healthy environment.

EPA Green Book; WY DEQ

Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate

WY traffic fatality rate ~1.5-1.8/100M VMT, above national average. Highest wind corridor in nation (I-80) and long distances at high speeds contribute. Zero Fatalities campaign active.

NHTSA FARS; WYDOT

Sanctity of life legislative framework

Gordon let abortion trigger law (life-threatening emergency only) and near-total ban proceed through legal process. Vetoed abortion ultrasound bill — legislature overrode veto (2025). Moderate pro-life but not activist.

Guttmacher; WY Code; Dobbs

Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence

Wyoming has low overall homelessness but limited state-level interventions. Small population limits encampment-related deaths.

Wyoming Governor's Office; WyoFile

Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion

Wyoming population grew modestly to 588,753 (+0.3%). Domestic migration added 1,474 people. No significant closures.

Census Bureau 2025; K2 Radio

Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement

Signed ICE cooperation agreement for Highway Patrol in 5 counties. Supported $2.4M Virtual Crisis Care grant pairing mental health counselors with law enforcement.

Fox News; WyoFile; Route Fifty

Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail

No notable early release programs or bail reform. Conventional criminal justice approach maintained.

Wyoming Governor's Office

Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities

No specific action on biological sex-based facility housing. Federal policy may apply but no governor-level action.

General research

Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention

WY We Care initiative as cornerstone of second term. Signed law for $5M to reimburse jails for mental health holds. $2.4M Virtual Crisis Care grant. Mental health town halls across state.

WyoFile; Route Fifty

Constitutional Rights

Bill of Rights (I-X); 14th Amendment

Score: 46 Range: -87 to 87 Items: 29

Second Amendment — right to carry status

WY enacted constitutional/permitless carry (SF 47, 2011, before Gordon). Gordon maintained and supported. No restrictions on concealed/open carry for residents.

WY Stat. Ã‚Â§6-8-104; NRA-ILA

Second Amendment — semi-automatic rifle restrictions

No restrictions beyond federal law. WY has no assault weapons ban or feature-based restrictions. Strong gun culture consistent with lowest-population state.

WY Code; NRA-ILA

Second Amendment — magazine capacity restrictions

No magazine capacity restrictions in WY.

WY Code; NRA-ILA

Second Amendment — Red Flag / ERPO due process

WY has NO red flag/ERPO law. Legislature has rejected red flag proposals. Full due process maintained — no ex parte firearms seizure authority.

WY Legislature records; NRA-ILA

First Amendment — campus free speech protections

WY campus free speech environment adequate. University of Wyoming generally respects free expression. Small campus community limits incidents. No state statute specifically protecting campus speech.

FIRE campus rankings; UW policies

First Amendment — anti-SLAPP protections

WY has no specific anti-SLAPP statute. Limited protections through common law. Small press corps and tight-knit community reduce SLAPP litigation frequency.

Public Participation Project; WY statutes

First Amendment — religious liberty protections

WY has strong religious liberty tradition. No state RFRA but constitutional protections robust. No documented restrictions on religious exercise during Gordon tenure. Conservative state culture supports religious freedom.

WY Constitution; Becket Fund

Fourth Amendment — warrant requirements for digital surveillance

WY follows federal Carpenter standard. No documented mass surveillance programs. Small-state government lacks capacity/interest in domestic surveillance. Privacy generally respected.

EFF; ACLU WY

Fourth Amendment — civil asset forfeiture reform

WY has moderate civil asset forfeiture protections. Requires criminal conviction for forfeiture in most cases (2016 reform). Above-average protections nationally.

Institute for Justice; WY forfeiture statutes

Fifth Amendment — eminent domain protections post-Kelo

WY has strong property rights protections. Post-Kelo reforms limit economic development takings. Ranching culture reinforces property rights. No documented abusive takings during Gordon tenure.

WY eminent domain statutes; Castle Coalition

Due process — regulatory takings and permitting timelines

WY has among lowest regulatory burdens nationally — no income tax, no corporate tax, minimal licensing. Zero-regulation approach keeps permitting fast. DEQ energy permits processed efficiently.

Cato Freedom Index; WY regulatory data

Tenth Amendment — federal overreach resistance

Gordon filed amicus supporting Utah's federal lands case. WY challenged some federal EPA regulations. 48% federal land creates inherent tension. Moderate but not aggressive resistance.

Governor's amicus briefs; WY AG litigation

Equal Protection — state contracting nondiscrimination

WY has merit-based contracting. No race-conscious procurement programs. Small government limits complexity. Standard nondiscrimination provisions.

WY procurement data; A&I records

Second Amendment — state preemption of local firearms laws

WY has strong firearms preemption statute preventing local governments from restricting gun rights beyond state law. Strictly enforced.

WY Stat. Ã‚Â§6-8-401; NRA-ILA preemption

First Amendment — government transparency and FOIA compliance

WY Public Records Act compliance adequate. Some concerns about mineral lease transparency. Generally responsive government given small size.

WY AG Public Records; MuckRock WY Guide

Sixth Amendment — public defender funding adequacy

WY public defender system has some capacity constraints. Remote locations make access challenging. Caseloads near recommended limits. Adequate but not well-funded.

Sixth Amendment Center; WY public defender

Eighth Amendment — bail reform and pretrial detention

WY has standard bail system with some risk-based pretrial services. Cash bail used but not egregiously. No documented excessive pretrial detention patterns.

Pretrial Justice Institute; WY court records

Property rights — regulatory burden and economic freedom

WY ranks #1 or #2 nationally for economic freedom (Cato, Fraser). No income/corporate tax. Minimal regulation. Among strongest property rights environments in nation.

Cato Freedom Index; Fraser Institute

Second Amendment — governor's litigation posture on firearms cases

Gordon/WY AG have not filed anti-2A litigation. WY joins pro-2A multistate amicus briefs. Supportive litigation posture.

WY AG amicus filings; state litigation dockets

First Amendment — compelled speech protections

No significant compelled speech mandates in WY. No DEI training requirements for state employees or professionals. Minimal regulatory speech compulsion.

WY administrative rules; FIRE

Commerce Clause compliance — interstate trade barriers

WY has minimal interstate trade barriers. No protectionist licensing. Energy exports flow freely. Blockchain/fintech framework (DAO, SPDI, Stable Token) enhances interstate commerce.

IJ licensing data; WY blockchain legislation

Privileges and Immunities — occupational licensing reform

WY has among fewest licensing requirements nationally. Low-barrier entry for most professions. Military spouse reciprocity. Consistent with economic freedom ranking.

IJ License to Work; NCSL

Contract Clause — state compliance with contractual obligations

WRS funded ratio ~76% — not ideal but improving. HB 41 (2024) shifted to ADC. Gordon maintained required contributions. No pension obligation defaults.

WRS Actuarial Valuation; HB 41

Jury trial rights — civil and criminal jury access

WY has standard jury trial access. Small court system means reasonable access. No documented jury access crisis.

WY Judiciary annual reports; NCSC

Immigration law compliance — Supremacy Clause adherence

WY complies with 8 USC Ã‚Â§1373. HB 133 (2025) felony-level anti-sanctuary law signed by Gordon. SAVE system used. E-Verify for state agencies. No DL for illegals. Strong compliance.

8 USC Ã‚Â§1373; HB 133 (2025); WY DWS

Qualified immunity / due process for officers

No specific qualified immunity legislation or executive action. Status quo maintained.

General research

Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody

Signed HEA 57 (proof of citizenship/residency), HEA 62 (cross-referencing alien IDs via SAVE system), HEA 65 (banning private election funding), HEA 71 (banning RCV).

Wyoming Secretary of State; WyoFile

Non-citizen voting prevention

Signed HEA 62 enabling cross-referencing alien IDs with voter rolls through DHS SAVE system. HEA 57 requires proof of citizenship to register.

Wyoming Secretary of State

Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics

Existing law banning transgender athletes grades 7-12. Joined amicus brief to SCOTUS. Previously criticized initial ban, expansion to college failed. Mixed but supportive.

Jackson Hole News; WyoFile; Cowboy State Daily

Child Welfare & Parental Rights

Meyer v. Nebraska (1923), Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925), Troxel v. Granville (2000)

Score: 16 Range: -75 to 75 Items: 25

Parental rights legislation — statutory recognition

WY has common law parental rights protections. Conservative state culture supports parental authority. No specific Parental Bill of Rights statute but strong traditional recognition.

WY statutes; Parental Rights Foundation

Education choice — school choice programs

Gordon vetoed charter school expansion cap removal (HB 94, 2025) — unpopular with school choice advocates. No ESA/voucher program. Limited charter school options. Veto was significant negative.

EdChoice WY; HB 94 veto (2025)

Parental notification/consent for medical procedures on minors

WY requires parental consent for most medical procedures on minors. Standard consent framework with limited exceptions for emergencies.

WY minor consent statutes; Guttmacher

Gender-transition procedures for minors — restrictions

WY has banned gender-transition procedures for minors (SF 99, signed by Gordon). Aligns with majority of R-governed states. Clear restriction with medical professional penalties.

SF 99; WY Code

Child abuse and neglect — substantiated case rate trend

WY child maltreatment rate near national average. DFS failed all 7 CFSR outcomes in Round 4 federal review (2024). System needs improvement.

ACF NCANDS; ACF CFSR Round 4 WY

Foster care — CFSR conformity assessment

WY DFS failed all 7 outcomes in ACF CFSR Round 4 (2024). Federal review found systemic deficiencies in safety, permanency, and well-being. Significant compliance failure.

ACF CFSR Round 4 WY Final Report (2024)

-1

Foster care — permanency outcomes

WY foster care permanency outcomes below national benchmarks per CFSR Round 4. Timeliness to permanency and reunification rates need improvement. Small caseload but poor metrics.

ACF AFCARS; CFSR Round 4

-1

Child trafficking prevention and prosecution

WY has basic child trafficking statute and ICAC task force participation. Small population limits trafficking scale. I-80 corridor monitored.

Polaris Project; WY DCI

Education outcomes — 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency

WY 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency ~35% at or above proficient (2022), above national average of 32%. Strong for rural state.

NCES NAEP 2022

Education outcomes — 8th grade NAEP math proficiency

WY 8th grade NAEP math proficiency ~30% at or above proficient (2022), above national average of 26%.

NCES NAEP 2022

Parental curriculum transparency

WY has no specific statutory parental curriculum transparency law. Local district policies vary. Small districts provide informal access.

WY Education Code; WDE policies

Social media — minor protections

WY relies on federal COPPA. No state social media minor protection legislation enacted during Gordon tenure.

NCSL social media tracker

Juvenile justice — age-appropriate treatment

WY has relatively low juvenile incarceration. DFS handles juvenile services. Small population means personalized approach possible. Adequate juvenile justice framework.

JJDPA; OJJDP WY profile

Child poverty rate and state response

WY child poverty rate ~10-12%, below national average of 16%. Strong economy and small population keep poverty low. Limited state anti-poverty programs beyond federal pass-through.

Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT

Adoption and permanency — adoptive family support

WY has standard adoption programs. Small caseload. CFSR failures suggest permanency process needs improvement. Faith-based agencies not specifically protected or excluded.

ACF AFCARS; WY DFS

Homeschool rights and protections

WY has permissive homeschool framework — notification to local school board required but minimal oversight. Among most homeschool-friendly states. No testing requirements.

HSLDA WY; WY Stat. Ã‚Â§21-4-101

Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) enforcement

WY DCI participates in ICAC task force. Adequate enforcement for state size. Mandatory reporting compliance functional.

ICAC; NCMEC; WY DCI

School safety — violence prevention and incident response

WY has low school violence rates. Small schools and tight communities provide natural safety. SRO presence in some districts. No major school safety incidents during Gordon tenure.

NASRO; WY education safety data

Children's mental health services access

WY has limited children's mental health services access, particularly in rural areas. School counselor ratios below ideal. Youth suicide rate alarming (~27/100K overall). Services gap significant.

ASCA ratio data; SAMHSA WY profile

Childhood vaccination — parental choice protections

WY allows religious and medical exemptions for school immunization requirements. Broad parental choice protections. ~47% COVID vaccination rate reflects culture but statutory framework protects choice.

NCSL vaccination data; CDC; WY DOH

Child care affordability and access

WY child care access limited in rural areas. Small population means few providers outside Cheyenne/Casper. State subsidy exists but limited funding.

ACF CCDF; NWLC; WY DFS

Education — teacher quality and retention

WY teacher salaries below regional average but cost of living is low. Recruitment in remote areas challenging. UW College of Education primary pipeline. Adequate but not strong.

NCES; WDE workforce data

Child nutrition — food insecurity rate

WY child food insecurity ~10-12%, below national average. School meal participation adequate. Small rural communities have some food desert challenges.

USDA ERS; Feeding America

Custody and family court — due process in child removal

WY Family Court has standard due process framework. Small caseload allows more individualized attention. No class action litigation.

WY District Courts; ABA

Children with disabilities — IDEA compliance

WY IDEA compliance adequate. Small special education population allows individualized services. OSEP review generally satisfactory.

OSEP annual determinations; IDEA Part B data

Faithful Discharge of Duties

Sworn oath: 'faithfully discharge the duties of office'

Score: 61 Range: -123 to 123 Items: 41

Budget balance — structural surplus/deficit

WY has maintained balanced budgets throughout Gordon tenure. PWMTF investment returns ($803.8M FY2025 record) bridge coal revenue decline. No structural deficit — surplus position.

WY CAFR; NASBO; CREG

State credit rating stability

WY holds AAA credit rating (S&P). Zero GO bond debt. Among strongest fiscal positions of any state. Rating maintained all 7+ years.

S&P Global Ratings; WY State Treasurer

Rainy day / budget stabilization fund adequacy

PWMTF corpus $11.2B, LSRA $1.869B, PWMTF Reserve $698M. Per capita reserves among highest in nation for pop 577K. Extraordinary reserve position.

NASBO; Pew; WY Treasurer FY2024

Pension system funding responsibility

WRS funded ratio ~76%. HB 41 (2024) shifted to ADC improving long-term sustainability. Not fully funded but on improving trajectory with 2047 projected full funding.

Pew pension data; WRS Actuarial; HB 41

State debt burden

Zero GO bond debt — among only 2-3 states with none. Lowest per capita state debt nationally. No borrowing during 7+ year tenure. Extraordinary.

Census; WY State Treasurer; Ballotpedia

Government efficiency — state employee headcount per capita

WY authorized FTE positions shrank by 274 since 2018 despite population growth. Small government (~6,200 FTE) for state of 577K. Efficient operation.

Census Public Employment; WY A&I HR

Inspector General / state auditor independence

State Auditor independently elected. Dept of Audit independently elected. GFOA Certificate 28 consecutive years. Full cooperation from Gordon. Exemplary audit independence.

WY Constitution; WY State Auditor; GFOA

Ethics violations and personal scandals

Zero ethics violations or personal scandals across 7+ years. Clean personal record — rancher and former State Treasurer. Reputation for integrity across political spectrum.

WY Ethics Commission; media coverage

Executive order restraint

Conservative EO usage. COVID orders time-limited and lifted promptly. Wildfire emergency declaration proper. No overreach. Consistent with limited-government philosophy.

WY Governor's EOs; court records

Emergency powers — adherence to statutory limits

COVID emergency powers used briefly (mask mandate Dec 2020 - Mar 2021). Promptly relinquished. Special session called May 2020 for CARES allocation within proper authority. No overreach.

WY emergency statutes; legislature records

Legislative cooperation — veto override rate

Legislature overrode 4 of 25 budget vetoes (2024) and abortion bill veto (2025). Some tension with Freedom Caucus wing. Override rate moderate — not ideal but manageable.

WY Legislature Journal; veto records

Judicial appointments — qualifications and process integrity

Judicial Nominating Commission provides 3 nominees per vacancy. Gordon appointed 2 Supreme Court justices and Chancery Court judge — all qualified, no controversies.

WY Judicial Nominating Commission; Ballotpedia

Timely execution of laws — implementation of enacted legislation

Gordon implements legislation faithfully. Complied with court injunction on abortion ban while appealing. Let redistricting map become law without signature. No implementation failures documented.

State agency records; court compliance

Federal fund utilization — grant management

Federal grants managed within compliance across all single audits (FY2019-FY2025). $348M BEAD broadband. No clawbacks or material findings. Clean federal fund management.

Federal Audit Clearinghouse; WY ACFR

Public approval as competence indicator

Morning Consult: 65% approval (mid-2025) — 4th most popular governor nationally. Strong public confidence despite state's challenges. Won 2022 primary with 52.3%.

Morning Consult Q2 2025; WY 2022 results

State IT security and data protection

WY ETS maintains statewide network (WUN). Strategic Plan 2023-2026 addresses cybersecurity. No major breaches documented. Adequate for state size.

NASCIO; WY ETS Strategic Plan

Infrastructure spending — capital budget execution

Capital program modest but executed. $348M BEAD broadband approved. I-80 corridor improvements ongoing. UW Science Initiative Building. Limited by small state budget.

WY A&I Capital; WYDOT; NTIA BEAD

Disaster fund readiness

$1.869B LSRA + $698M PWMTF Reserve = extraordinary emergency financial capacity. No state better positioned per capita for disaster funding.

FEMA data; WY LSRA; CREG

Workforce development — unemployment system integrity

WY unemployment ~3.5-4%. Low volume UI system functioning well. DWS identity verification protocols implemented during COVID. Small workforce limits complexity.

DOL UI Data; WY DWS

Medicaid program integrity

WY did not expand Medicaid — traditional categories only (~80K enrollees). SAVE system used. Small caseload minimizes integrity risks. Standard compliance.

CMS; WY DOH Medicaid

Election administration — constitutional compliance

WY elections administered competently. Paper ballot audit trails. Small electorate (< 300K voters) simplifies administration. Photo ID not required but verification adequate.

EAC EAVS; WY SOS

Transparency — state budget accessibility

WyOpen.gov shows all expenditures. CREG revenue data public. Budget highly transparent via A&I and LSO publications. Strong for state size.

U.S. PIRG; WyOpen.gov; WY A&I

Intergovernmental cooperation — federal compliance balanced with sovereignty

Cooperative with federal agencies on 48% federal land management. HB 133 anti-sanctuary law enforces immigration compliance. Amicus supporting UT federal lands case. Balanced approach.

DOJ; WY AG; HB 133

Gubernatorial succession and continuity planning

Secretary of State Mark Gordon succession. Clear WY Constitution succession provision. COOP plan exists. 7+ years of stable governance demonstrates continuity.

WY Constitution; FEMA COOP

Anti-corruption — state procurement integrity

No procurement scandals during 7+ year tenure. Clean GFOA audits 28 consecutive years. Small government provides natural transparency. WyOpen.gov publishes all expenditures.

WY procurement data; state auditor; WyOpen.gov

Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade

Wyoming gas tax 24 cents/gallon, below national average. No income tax. No increases under Gordon.

Wyoming DOT; Tax Foundation

Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy

Relatively affordable electricity. Wind energy growing. No aggressive mandates. Diverse energy sources.

EIA Wyoming Profile

Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness

Pragmatic all-of-the-above energy. Wind growing to ~3,700 MW. No forced EV mandates. Coal and gas maintained.

EIA Wyoming Profile

Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median

Among lowest property tax rates nationally ($1,058/year median). Legislature passed 25% tax cut on home FMV. $20M property tax refund program.

Wyoming Tax Analysis 2025

Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business

Established Regulatory Reform Task Force. Wyoming generally has lower regulatory burden.

WyoFile

Unfunded mandates on municipalities

No significant new unfunded mandates. Budget included funding for previously unfunded recurring costs.

WyoFile

Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend

No state income tax. Low property taxes with recent cuts. Wyoming remains affordable.

Wyoming Tax Foundation

Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies

Signed sanctuary city ban, ICE cooperation agreement for Highway Patrol, immigration status on arrest reports.

Fox News; WyoFile

Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes

Relatively low homelessness. No major spending programs. Not a significant issue at state level.

General research

Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling

Encampments not a major issue in Wyoming. No specific enforcement actions.

General research

Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving

Positive net domestic migration (+1,474, nearly double prior year). State attracting residents from higher-cost states.

Census Bureau 2025

Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy

No business exodus. No income tax remains a draw. No major corporate departures.

Census data

DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors

No rogue prosecutor issues. County attorney system elected.

N/A

Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency

Multiple election integrity bills. Banned private election funding and RCV. Vetoed drop box ban but signed photo ID and citizenship proof.

Wyoming SoS; Cowboy State Daily

Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents

No evidence of weaponizing state agencies.

N/A

Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes

Signed foreign land ownership investigation bill. ICE cooperation agreements. Sanctuary city ban.

Wyoming News; Fox News

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