Megan Degenfelder
Megan Degenfelder | |
|---|---|
| Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2023 | |
| Governor | Mark Gordon |
| Preceded by | Brian Schroeder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1988 or 1989 (age 36–37) Casper, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Bryan Dugas |
| Education | University of Wyoming (BA) University of International Business and Economics (MA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Megan Degenfelder is an American politician and businesswoman who has been the Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2023.[1] She is a member of the Republican Party.[1] She is currently running for governor of Wyoming in the 2026 election.
Degenfelder previously worked as a Republican Precinct Committeewoman in Cheyenne and then-U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis. Prior to entering politics, Degenfelder worked in several fossil fuel companies throughout Wyoming.
Early life
Degenfelder was born in Casper, Wyoming, to Steve Degenfelder and Cheryl Lee Bressler.[2][3] She has two brothers: Kenneth and Brian.[2] Her mother died in 2024.[2] Degenfelder was raised in Casper.[3] At aged 21, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which was successfully treated.[4] She attempted to enlist for the Wyoming Air National Guard, however was rejected due to her cancer diagnosis.[5]
Degenfelder attended Casper Natrona County High School before studying at the University of Wyoming on a Hathaway Scholarship where she earned a bachelor of science in economics and a bachelor of arts in political science.[6] At the University of Wyoming, she played rugby and served as student council president.[7] She later earned a master of arts in economics from the University of International Business and Economics.[6]
After graduating from the University of International Business and Economics, in China, Degenfelder spent 3 years as a lobbyist working for Cloud Peak Energy leasing coal, oil and gas assets in Campbell, Converse and Sheridan counties in Wyoming.[7] She also worked for 3 years as a lobbyist for a Texas based natural resource producer in Carbon and Sweetwater counties.[7]
Political career
Degenfelder began her political career as the Republican Precinct Committeewoman in Cheyenne, Wyoming.[6] She also previously worked with Cynthia Lummis when she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.[3] She also advocated against President Barack Obama's regulations on the fossil fuel industry.[7]
Throughout her career, she has aligned herself with the MAGA movement and has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump.[3][8]
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Degenfelder ran for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction in the 2022 election.[1] During the campaign, Degenfelder highlighted that as Public Instruction Superintendent, she would endorse school choice, create industrial partnerships in schools, improve K-3 literacy rates, reduce bureaucracy in education by limiting government involvement in teaching and promote a pro-American agenda.[6] She narrowly won the Republican nomination, winning 40% of the vote, defeating incumbent superintendent Brian Schroeder.[9][10] She would go on to win the general election in November, defeating Democratic nominee Sergio Maldonado in a landslide.[11]
During her tenure as superintendent, Degenfelder worked with a group of stakeholders to establish a guide district in shaping policies .[3] She also supported legislation to authorize charter schools and a voucher program to make public funds available for private tuition.[3] She also supported limiting transgender students’ participation in school sports and bathroom accessibility.[3]
In 2024, she partnered worked alongside Governor Mark Gordon and State Attorney General Bridget Hill to challenge the Biden administration's Title IX rules that prohibited blanket bans on transgender athletes.[3] That same year, she openly criticized the proposed sale of the Kelly parcel to Grand Teton National Park, stating she would rather have oil and gas development companies to purchase Kelly parcel.[12] She criticized Governor Gordon of the decision and accused him of "making a backroom deal" with the National Park Service.[12]
In 2025, Degenfelder openly expressed her support of the second Trump administration's steps in reducing the staff and capacity of the Department of Education.[13] She stated that the move would allow local communities and parents to have greater control in education decisions.[13] That same year, she released her legislative agenda which included: pro-school choice agenda, increase awareness of student mental health, allow concealed carry in school grounds, reduce DEI practices and ban transgender athletes in schools.[14]
2026 gubernatorial campaign
In January 2026, Degenfelder announced her candidacy for governor of Wyoming in the 2026 election.[15] Days before she announced her campaign, President Donald Trump said he would endorse her campaign and nicknamed her "MAGA Megan".[8] In March 2026, her campaign was endorsed by Speaker pro tempore of the State House Jeremy Haroldson and State House Majority leader Scott Heiner.[16]
Personal life
Degenfelder is married to WWAMI graduate and anesthesiologist Bryan Dugas and they live in Laramie, Wyoming.[3][17][7]
She also coaches the University of Wyoming women's rugby team.[7] An avid hunter, she was part of the first all-women’s team at the One Shot Antelope Hunt in Cheyenne.[7]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Megan Degenfelder | 59,334 | 40.58% | |
| Republican | Brian Schroeder | 55,769 | 38.14% | |
| Republican | Jennifer Zerba | 13,662 | 9.34% | |
| Republican | Thomas Kelly (withdrawn) | 12,347 | 8.44% | |
| Republican | Robert J. White III | 4,396 | 3.01% | |
| Write-in | 721 | 0.49% | ||
| Total votes | 146,229 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Megan Degenfelder | 142,524 | 76.72 | ||
| Democratic | Sergio Maldonado | 43,251 | 23.28 | ||
| Total votes | 185,775 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
References
- ^ a b c "Republican Megan Degenfelder wins state superintendent race". Wyoming Public Media. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Obituary: Cheryl Lee Degenfelder". Oil City News. September 27, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Wyoming schools leader Megan Degenfelder launches bid for governor". MSN. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ "Megan Degenfelder discovered her life's purpose by embracing challenges and taking risks". Casper Star Tribune. October 17, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "State of Wyoming offers new teacher resources to educate kids about wars". Wyoming News. January 14, 2026. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Megan Degenfelder". Wyoming News. July 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Meet Megan". MeganDegenfelder.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ a b "'RUN MEGAN, RUN!' Trump Promises Endorsement If Degenfelder Runs For Governor". Cowboy State Daily. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ a b "Statewide Candidates Official Summary – Wyoming Primary Election August 16, 2022" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. p. 9. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Orr, Jimmy (August 17, 2022). "Degenfelder Beats Schroeder In Republican Superintendent Race". Cowboy State Daily. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ a b "Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "Wyoming Superintendent wants oil and gas development over $100 million for Kelly parcel". Jackson Hole News Guide. November 4, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "Degenfelder Praises Dept. Of Education Cuts, Says They Will Empower Parents". Cowboy State Daily. March 12, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ "State superintendent's wish list includes school choice, student safety and hot button issues". Gillette News Record. January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ Eagle, Noah Zahn Wyoming Tribune (January 12, 2026). "Degenfelder announces bid for governor after Trump endorsement". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ "Members of House GOP leadership endorse Degenfelder for governor". Wyoming News. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ "Bryan Dugas, MD". Ivinson Hospital. Retrieved January 14, 2026.