Three Republican Educators Compete for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction

The race for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction is heating up with three Republicans now vying for the job. When long-time Casper coach and state legislator Steve Harshman entered the race last week, he joined fellow Republicans Tom Kelly and Chad Auer. All bring classroom and policy experience. One of five statewide elected officials, the superintendent of public instruction leads the Wyoming Department of Education. Current Superintendent Megan Degenfelder is running for governor. Degenfelder’s seat opens as lawsuits, policies, funding decisions and technological innovation pose major changes to Wyoming’s educational landscape. The Legislature just passed a recalibration bill that represents a new funding model for school districts; Wyoming’s universal school choice program is tied up in court and the state just overhauled literacy standards and instruction. The three Republicans will face off in the Aug. 18 primary election. Additional contenders have until May 29 to file for office.

Candidate Profiles

Tom Kelly

A libertarian-leaning educator, Tom Kelly, a state legislator from Sheridan, was the first to throw his name in the hat. He announced his bid just days before the 2026 Legislature convened. Kelly began his career in the classroom as a paraprofessional while he was earning his teaching certificate. A paraprofessional works under a certified teacher to assist and often works with students with special needs. From there, he spent 10 years teaching social studies and special education in public schools before transitioning to teaching college part time and then full time. The move to post-secondary education was necessary, he said, as a teacher’s salary is insufficient for supporting a large family. He and his wife have six children, including one with special needs. Rep. Tom Kelly, R-Sheridan, looks over a bill from the House floor. Kelly currently heads the political science department at American Military University.

Steve Harshman

Long-time Casper coach and state legislator Steve Harshman entered the race last week. He brings experience as both an educator and policymaker, having served in the Wyoming Legislature while maintaining ties to Casper’s athletic and educational communities.

Chad Auer

Chad Auer rounds out the Republican field. While specific biographical details were not highlighted in the initial announcement, Auer joins Kelly and Harshman as a Republican candidate with background in education and public service.

Context of the Race

The superintendent of public instruction is one of five statewide elected officials in Wyoming and serves as the chief executive of the Wyoming Department of Education. The office oversees K-12 public education across the state, including curriculum standards, teacher certification, and distribution of state and federal education funds.

Incumbent Superintendent Megan Degenfelder opted not to seek re-election, instead launching a campaign for governor. Her decision opened the seat amid significant shifts in Wyoming’s education policy landscape. Recent legislative actions include passage of a school funding recalibration bill, ongoing legal challenges to the state’s universal school choice program, and a comprehensive overhaul of K-12 literacy standards and instruction.

Advocates have described the literacy reform effort as over a decade in the making, aiming to standardize reading instruction across Wyoming schools after years of inconsistent approaches.

Election Timeline

The three Republican candidates will compete in the primary election on August 18, 2026. The filing deadline for additional candidates to enter the race is May 29, 2026. The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the general election, where they may face Democratic or third-party contenders depending on who files by the deadline.

Key Takeaways

• Three Republicans — Steve Harshman, Tom Kelly, and Chad Auer — are running for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• The seat is open because incumbent Megan Degenfelder is running for governor.
• The office oversees Wyoming’s K-12 public education system and is one of five statewide elected positions.

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• Recent education policy changes in Wyoming include new school funding formulas, litigation over school choice, and updated literacy standards.
• The Republican primary will be held on August 18, 2026, with a filing deadline of May 29, 2026 for additional candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction do?

The superintendent leads the Wyoming Department of Education, overseeing public K-12 education across the state. Responsibilities include setting curriculum standards, managing teacher certification, distributing state and federal education funds, and implementing education policy passed by the Legislature.

Why is the superintendent’s seat up for election in 2026?

Incumbent Superintendent Megan Degenfelder is not seeking re-election to the office. Instead, she is running for governor of Wyoming, which has opened the superintendent position to new candidates.

When is the election for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction?

The Republican primary election will be held on August 18, 2026. The filing deadline for candidates to enter the race is May 29, 2026. The winner of the primary will proceed to the general election later in the year.

What major education issues are facing Wyoming?

Wyoming’s education system is currently navigating several significant changes, including implementation of a new school funding model following the passage of a recalibration bill, ongoing court challenges to the universal school choice program, and the rollout of revised K-12 literacy standards aimed at improving reading instruction statewide.