As Wyoming voters prepare to head to the polls next Tuesday, the race for governor has crystallized into a high-stakes contrast between three distinct political paths. While Republican nominee Eric Barlow and Democratic candidate Kenneth Casner faced primary battles, Constitution Party candidate Bextel bypassed that stage entirely, securing her spot on the general election ballot at the party’s June convention. Yet, as the final campaign stretch intensifies, a review of public court records has brought a spotlight to Bextel’s extensive history within the Wyoming judicial system.
A Public Record of Citations and Litigation
According to reporting by the Jackson Hole News&Guide, which conducted a comprehensive review of court records for all three gubernatorial candidates, Bextel holds the most significant history in the state’s circuit, district, and federal courts. Much of this record consists of traffic-related matters, including seven speeding violations since 2018. These citations span several counties, with records showing speeds as high as 96 mph in 75 mph zones in both Crook and Carbon counties.
Beyond traffic citations, Bextel has been deeply involved in civil litigation. In early 2026, she faced a criminal trespassing charge in Lincoln County following a dispute over property access near Salt River Ranch. While that case was eventually dismissed, the underlying conflict over road access remains an active legal battle. Bextel has since filed a civil lawsuit over access to the road in which she was originally cited for trespassing.
Bextel Sues Teton County over Withheld Housing Records
Bextel’s legal activity extends into Teton County. She initiated a lawsuit against the Town of Jackson, Teton County, and the local housing authority. The suit alleges that public records regarding the development of the Flat Creek Apartments—specifically expenditure lists and communications between staff and developers—were improperly withheld.
The town has denied these allegations and sought a dismissal. Meanwhile, the county’s legal response, filed by Deputy County Attorney Keith Gingery, contends that the requested materials, including relevant text messages, have been provided and that there are no remaining outstanding issues. That litigation remains ongoing, adding another layer of complexity to the candidate’s platform, which has included discussions of Teton County’s affordable housing projects and the rodeo.
The Stakes of the Executive Office
The intensity of the current campaign is reflected in the candidates’ efforts to capture both state and national attention. Bextel recently appeared on the online program The Daily Caller, where she addressed a wide array of topics, from property taxes and Teton County housing to personal anecdotes about backyard fruit trees and her skepticism regarding vaccines and the moon landing. During the interview, she framed her candidacy around a blunt assessment of political life: “The number one thing that qualifies me to be governor is I can spot bullshit from a mile away.”
This approach stands in marked contrast to the more traditional campaigning of her opponents. While the court records provide a detailed look at her past, they do not account for the ongoing investigation by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office into allegations of criminal bribery. That investigation stems from an incident earlier this year where Bextel was observed handing out campaign checks to lawmakers on the Wyoming House floor. While a House Special Investigative Committee found no evidence of wrongdoing regarding the Wyoming Constitution’s bribery prohibitions, the Sheriff’s Office has yet to publicly confirm the status or outcome of its own inquiry.
For the voters of Wyoming, the choice on Tuesday involves more than just a preference for policy. It is a decision on how the state’s executive branch should interact with the judicial and legislative systems. With the election just days away, the contrast between the candidates’ past actions and their proposed futures is the final variable in a race that remains as unconventional as it is consequential.
