Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder scored another big endorsement for governor on Wednesday when U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman announced her support.
In a Wednesday afternoon statement, the congresswoman said she and Degenfelder have "spent countless hours" discussing the superintendent's vision for Wyoming, and that Degenfelder is a "proven winner with a strong conservative record."
“I’m proud to join President Trump in supporting Megan Degenfelder as Wyoming’s next governor,” Hageman said.
Degenfelder said she was honored by the endorsement and likewise mentioned the president in her response.
"I am honored and energized by her endorsement and ready to stand with her and President Trump to protect our legacy industries, fight for our conservative values, and ensure Wyoming remains a place where families can thrive," Degenfelder said.
Other Republican candidates in the race are retired Marine Corps Colonel Brent Bien and state Sen. Eric Barlow.
Barlow downplayed the power of big-name endorsements Wednesday morning on Cowboy State Daily's radio show with Jake Nichols.
Barlow said that Wyoming "isn't a top-down state" and the only endorsements that matter to him are the people who will vote for him in the primary.
He said he was at a coffee shop in Rock Springs on Tuesday when someone thanked Barlow for his work on restoration of gun rights and he said it made a difference in his life.
"Those are the kinds of endorsements that make a difference," Barlow said.
"You're not going to read about those in the newspaper, but those are the ones that matter," he added.
