Three Republican candidates seeking the office of Wyoming superintendent of public instruction presented largely aligned goals Thursday but emphasized different philosophies and experiences on key issues including school choice, funding formulas and statewide testing.
Experience and philosophy shape candidates' pitches
At a forum in Laramie presented by WyoFile, Wyoming Public Media and the League of Women Voters, former state lawmaker Steve Harshman, former department administrator Chad Auer and freshman legislator Tom Kelly spoke to voters about how they would lead the Wyoming Department of Education.
Harshman emphasized his long record in the Legislature and familiarity with the complexities of education policy. Auer pointed to his work inside state government, including a stint as a senior policy advisor to Gov. Mark Gordon, and said he would pursue changes while retaining effective elements of the current system. Kelly, a former classroom teacher, framed his approach around limiting state interference and upholding local control.
"I am a 'free-market, libertarian-leaning Republican,'" Kelly said, describing his inclination to reduce state mandates.
Context: funding and legal battles
The forum came as Wyoming navigates several major shifts in education policy. This year the Legislature enacted a recalibration of school funding, creating a new model affecting districts statewide. At the same time, the state's universal school choice program faces court challenges, and the state has recently revised literacy standards and instruction. The superintendent in Wyoming not only leads the education department but also holds seats on state land and investment boards, making the office consequential beyond classroom policy.
- Funding: Candidates addressed how to implement the Legislature's new recalibration and its implications for district budgets.
- School choice: With the universal choice program under legal scrutiny, candidates discussed the role of the state in supporting or adjusting the initiative.
- Testing and standards: All three acknowledged concerns about testing load and the balance between assessments and classroom instruction.
How candidates compare
| Candidate | Background | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Harshman | Longtime lawmaker, former coach | Policy experience, pragmatic governance |
| Chad Auer | Former WYO education administrator, gubernatorial advisor | Change management, preserve effective programs |
| Tom Kelly | Freshman legislator, former teacher | Local control, reduce state intervention |
Democratic candidates Ana Cordova and Sergio Maldonado did not attend the forum. Organizers also did not include Libertarian candidate Ryan Shollenberger, who is running unopposed in his primary, in the primary election event.
All three Republican hopefuls will head into their party primaries on Aug. 18, with the winners advancing to the November general election. The seat is open because current Superintendent Megan Degenfelder is running for governor.
The discussion in Laramie underscored both the areas of agreement among the candidates — such as concern about testing burdens — and substantive differences over how aggressively the state should shape curriculum, accountability and funding distribution. The outcome of the primary and general elections will determine who implements the Legislature's funding changes and how the department responds to ongoing legal and policy challenges affecting Wyoming schools.
