WyoFile

ELECTION GUIDE 2026

Wyoming's candidates for federal, statewide and legislative offices.

Last update: Oct 2, 2026 - 11:39 AM
Marshall Keller
Wyoming Republican Candidate/ WY House District 28

Marshall Keller

Candidate Status: ❌ Lost Aug. 18 primary

Active candidates for WY House District 28

Republican

Democrat

Inactive Candidates (3)ShowHide▾

On the Issues

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The answers below were solicited from candidates via a written questionnaire created by WyoFile reporters and editors in June 2026. Responses are presented exactly as submitted, without fact-checking, wordsmithing or editing for grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.

Legislative candidates were invited to respond to the questionnaire several times by email and by phone. Out of fairness to the candidates who met the deadline, WyoFile will not add responses after the guide's publication.

Where do you live currently? How long have you lived there? How long have you lived in Wyoming? Where were you born?

I currently live in Thermopolis, where my family and I have lived since 2020. I was born in Montana and have spent my entire life in the West. I first came to Wyoming while working in the mining industry in 2011, and over the years have lived and worked in several Wyoming communities. My military service and work as a government contractor took me overseas for extended periods, but Wyoming is the state where I have lived the longest. My wife, Natalya, and I chose to make Thermopolis our home, where our daughters attended school and where I am an attorney, and currently serve on the Hot Springs County School Board member, and as the municipal attorney for both Thermopolis and Shoshoni.

What age will you be on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026?

55

Please tell the voters about yourself including your background and qualifications.

I am a Navy veteran, engineer, attorney, small rancher, small business owner, and member of the Hot Springs County School Board. I served as a Navy SEAL with SEAL Team Three and later returned to the Navy Reserves, retiring in 2025 after additional deployments. After earning a degree in Geological Engineering from Montana Tech, I worked in mining and engineering throughout the West, including Wyoming. I later earned my law degree and currently practice law, representing local municipalities. My wife, Natalya, and I live in Thermopolis, where our two daughters attended school.

With a wide range of professional experiences in military service, mining, engineering, law, agriculture, and local government, I have firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing Wyoming families, businesses, schools, and communities.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Wyoming today? As a legislator, how would you address them?

Wyoming's biggest challenges include maintaining essential services, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, expanding access to housing, diversifying our economy, and addressing long-term fiscal pressures facing local governments. At the same time, Wyoming has tremendous opportunities through our mineral and agricultural resources, outdoor recreation, and strong communities. As a legislator, I will support policies that encourage economic growth, strengthen education, and help young people build careers in Wyoming. We must also address housing shortages that make it difficult for workers, retirees, young families, teachers, healthcare professionals, and first responders to live and work in our communities. Finally, we must be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars while ensuring local governments have the flexibility and resources needed to serve their citizens. My focus will be on practical solutions that support working families and preserve Wyoming's quality of life.

We asked WyoFile readers to rank issues that are important to them, and healthcare costs and access topped the list. What can the Legislature do to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to Wyomingites?

Access to affordable healthcare is a major challenge, especially in Wyoming's rural communities. We need to strengthen and retain our healthcare workforce by supporting training programs, expanding opportunities for healthcare professionals to live and work in Wyoming, and reducing barriers that make it difficult to recruit providers to rural areas (such as housing).

The Legislature can also support responsible use of telehealth, improve access to mental health services, and work to preserve local hospitals, clinics, and emergency medical services that are essential to rural communities. We should look for ways to increase competition and transparency in healthcare pricing so patients can make informed decisions and costs can be better controlled.

There is no single solution, but by focusing on workforce development, rural access, innovation, and affordability, we can help ensure Wyoming families receive the care they need close to home and at a price they can afford.

Do you support efforts to sell or transfer public land in Wyoming? How do you plan to ensure that state and federal land is managed in the best interest of the people of Wyoming?

I do not support the wholesale sale or transfer of public lands. Wyoming's public lands are a vital part of our heritage and provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, recreation, grazing, mineral development, and tourism. These public lands are a part of Wyoming culture and belong to the people. They should should remain accessible for future generations and for all Wyoming citizens- not the just the billionaires who will end up with it if it's sold.

I support responsible multiple-use management that balances conservation, recreation, agriculture, and mineral production. As a legislator, I would advocate for greater input from local communities and stakeholders, encourage active land management to reduce wildfire risk, create more grazing opportunities, and improve land health. All of this is only possible if the people who live, work, and recreate on these lands are actually part of the decision making process.

No two Wyoming counties are the same when it comes to how they generate revenue. As a legislator, how would you approach the public's desire for property tax relief with local revenue needs?

Families across Wyoming are feeling the effects of rising costs, and the government should be just as mindful of spending taxpayer dollars. The Legislature has already provided significant property tax relief through the recent 25% residential property tax reduction and other existing exemptions. I do not support the proposed ballot initiative for an additional 50% cut to residential property taxes. Local governments, schools, hospitals, fire districts, libraries, and others depend on property tax revenue. Such a large reduction could have serious unintended consequences for local services and infrastructure. Wyoming already has the third lowest tax burden in the Nation. As a legislator, I would assess the effects of the current cuts and focus on responsible budgeting, spending, and preserving the property tax relief already enacted, while ensuring communities get the resources they need. I believe local governments should have a strong voice in decisions that directly affect them.

What role, if any, should the Wyoming Legislature play in economic development?

The Legislature has an important role in economic development. The government cannot create prosperity, but it can support the infrastructure, workforce development, and business climate that allows communities to succeed. I believe Wyoming should continue to support economic development efforts, including organizations such as the Wyoming Business Council, while holding them accountable for results and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively. Programs should be regularly evaluated and improved. Wyoming should be actively recruiting more industry- especially around mining, manufacturing, and water conservation technology companies that will benefit our rural communities. Cheyenne is way too far removed from the people of Wyoming- some of these offices need to be regional. My approach is to support practical, accountable economic development that strengthens local communities and respects local decision-making rather than imposing one-size-fits-all solutions from Cheyenne.

Explain your values when it comes to campaign donations. Does Wyoming's system for monitoring campaign donations and expenditures need reform?

I believe campaign contributions are a form of political participation, but transparency is essential. Voters have a right to know who is supporting candidates and how campaign funds are being spent. I am committed to complying with Wyoming's campaign finance laws and to providing timely and accurate disclosure of contributions and expenditures. Wyoming's campaign finance system is generally built around transparency, and that principle should remain the foundation of any reforms. I am open to improvements that make reporting easier to understand, increase public confidence, and ensure the rules are applied fairly and consistently. Any changes should balance transparency and accountability with the ability of citizens to participate in the political process.

As of Aug 17, 2026, per state filings.

Total Raised$15,042
Total Spent$14,644

Shown relative to the top fundraiser in the Wyoming House: Julie Jarvis, with $58,900 raised.

Top Contributors*

  1. LAWYERS ACTIVE IN WY PAC (LAWPAC) (CHEYENNE)$5,000
  2. Unitemized contributions under $100$1,574
  3. PETRILLO, LEE (ORO VALLEY)$1,500
  4. SCHEEL, SHURIE (THERMOPOLIS)$1,413
  5. SCHEEL, PHILLIP (THERMOPOLIS)$1,070

* Contributions are grouped by donor name and reported ZIP code — two donors who share both could be counted as one, and the same donor could be split into separate entries if they were reported giving from two different addresses. Errors in how a candidate or committee reported a contribution may also make these totals inaccurate.

Full records, individual transactions, and filings for all Wyoming candidates are available from the Wyoming Campaign Finance Information System.

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About this Project

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WyoFile produced this guide with coding and web development by Thomas Musselman, editing by Tennessee Watson and production assistance by Calla Shosh. Contact Tennessee Watson with questions, corrections or suggestions at tennessee@wyofile.com.

WyoFile is a Wyoming 501(c)3 nonprofit, independent, member-supported, public-interest news service reporting on the people, places and policy of Wyoming. WyoFile's donor base is politically diverse, including some donors who are candidates in this year's election. We maintain separation between sources of revenue and editorial direction, decisions and oversight. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions, and does not confer editorial influence, nor does donor support imply any endorsement of WyoFile's reporting, commentary or editorial position.

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