On the Issues
↑ TopThe 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?
We currently live at 1974 Harrison Street, Laramie. We moved into the new house Nov. 28 1998 and have lived there since then. We lived in Rawlins prior to moving to Laramie April 14, 1997/July 1, 1997 (I worked for ACSO, but didn't get the family moved until July 1, 1997. I was still preaching full time in Rawlins and travelled between the two until the family move and training academy was completed in mid June 1997. I was born in Scott City, Kansas
What age will you be on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026?
I will be 76 years old on election day.
Please tell the voters about yourself including your background and qualifications.
Gary Wilken is a retired United Methodist pastor, law enforcement professional, and lifelong public servant in communities across Colorado and Wyoming. Gary earned a B.A. in History from Colorado State University and a Master of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion, where he also trained as a police chaplain and served with the Oakland Police Department Reserve Program. Throughout his career, Gary has united ministry and public service, pastoring rural congregations, advocating for environmental protections in eastern Colorado, and serving the Albany County Sheriff's Office as a detention deputy, corporal, and dual-certified patrol officer. He later worked as Albany County's Code Enforcement Officer, addressing public safety, zoning, and hazardous waste concerns alongside residents and state agencies. Gary and his wife, Bernice, have been married 46 years, building a life rooted in faith, family, and service- values that continue to guide his leadership today.
What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Wyoming today? As a legislator, how would you address them?
The biggest challenges facing Wyoming today are the issues of training and providing housing, healthcare, education, a living wage and care for the environment that houses us. As a legislator I will engage in continuing education and investigation of these issues with my colleagues in the legislature, and offer constuctive changes to meet our challenges through cooperation and compassionate care, listening, and discussion.
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?
The legislature and citizens of wyoming need to come together to study, share information and diversify many of the approaches to medical, educational, and systemic challenges.
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 sell or transfer of public land. I call for stewardship and responsible care for the public lands that are under our responsibility. We as citizens of Wyoming need to accept the responsibility to care for as well as enjoy the local, state and federal lands we have within our state boundaries.
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?
As a legislator I will respect the property rights of our citizens while recognizing the need to provide taxes and programs to care for public land. I have experienced the cutbacks of limited income that we have gone through in Albany County, with significant Public lands that do not pay taxes in Wyoming. A PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) program helps level the use of state and federal lands to meet the growing costs of living in Albany County
What role, if any, should the Wyoming Legislature play in economic development?
The legislature needs to continue being in dialogue with the business community, as well as the extractive recource users, the manufacturing and research and healthy growth of our state
Explain your values when it comes to campaign donations. Does Wyoming's system for monitoring campaign donations and expenditures need reform?
I appreciate financial support from our constituents, but will try to limit contributions to a equitable level so that all persons have input but not domination of free choice.
Campaign Finance
As of Aug 17, 2026, per state filings.
Shown relative to the top fundraiser in the Wyoming House: Julie Jarvis, with $58,900 raised.
Top Contributors*
- BURR-WILKEN, BERNICE (LARAMIE)$361
- O'DOHERTY, ERIN (LARAMIE)$250
- GORIN, SARAH (LARAMIE)$100
- SAULINO-KLEIN, LORRAINE (LARAMIE)$25
- HAAS, GREG (BUFFALO)$5
* 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.
WyoFile Coverage of WILKEN
About this Project
↑ TopWyoFile 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.
This material is available for republication by select media outlets. Contact Collaborations Editor Rebecca Huntington at rebecca@wyofile.com to learn how.
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