Casper, Wyoming - A photograph taken Tuesday, June 2, 2026, outside the Thyra Thomson State Office Building in Casper is raising questions about campaign activity on state property. The incident involves candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and longtime Representative Steve Harshman. Witnesses attending the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Education Committee meeting reported seeing Harshman distributing campaign signs from a vehicle parked at the state facility during normal state business hours on June 2.
Following the committee meeting, Harshman, who is currently seeking election as Wyoming's Superintendent of Public Instruction, was photographed standing outside the building near a vehicle that contained campaign signs. Witnesses present throughout the meeting told The Open Range Record they did not observe Harshman attend or participate in the committee proceedings before campaign materials were reportedly distributed outside the facility.
The circumstances are drawing attention because the activity occurred at a state-owned building during normal business hours and comes just months after Governor Mark Gordon issued Executive Order 2026-01 addressing campaign activity on state property. In the order, Gordon stated that "state facilities are only used for the work of state government and that state funded resources like state buildings and offices are not used for political or campaign activities." The order further states that campaign activity in state facilities should be prohibited "to protect the integrity of and ensure public trust in state government."
The order was issued in response to concerns surrounding campaign-related activity at state facilities and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear separation between government operations and political campaigning.
The incident may also raise questions under Wyoming's ethics laws. Wyoming Statute 9-13-105 provides that public officials shall not use public facilities, personnel, equipment, or other public resources for political or campaign activity unless specifically authorized by law.
Harshman has served in the Wyoming House of Representatives since 2003, making him one of the longest-serving legislators in the state. A former teacher and coach with decades of experience in Wyoming's public schools, Harshman has centered his campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction on his education background and public service experience.
While the Joint Education Committee was meeting to discuss issues affecting Wyoming's education system, witnesses reported seeing a candidate for the state's top education position outside the facility with campaign materials rather than participating in the proceedings themselves. If state facilities are not to be used for political or campaign activities, why were campaign signs being distributed at a state office building during normal business hours? Wyoming citizens deserve a clear answer.
Public trust depends on maintaining a strict line between government business and political campaigning. When that line appears blurred, transparency and accountability demand scrutiny, regardless of the office sought or the individual involved.