CASPER, Wyo. — Republican Rep. Steve Harshman announced Thursday that he is running for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction.

A release from Harshman says he has served as a teacher and as a coach for 40 years. He says he’s entering the race with a vision to prioritize Wyoming’s students, support teachers, and ensure the long-term fiscal health of the state’s education system.

“Wyoming’s future is built by strong families and strong teachers in our classrooms,” Harshman said. “I’ve dedicated my life to teaching and coaching and helping thousands of young people get across the finish line. I know the challenges and triumphs that schools, parents, and kids face every day, and I am running to support them for the long term.”

Harshman was born in Casper and grew up in Natrona County. He spent much of his career teaching and coaching at Natrona County High School. His campaign notes that while growing up in Central Wyoming, he docked sheep and worked in the oil patch above workover rigs.

“He understands Wyoming schools are primarily funded by our energy workers who mine the coal, drill the wells and work the fields of Wyoming,” the release states.

Harshman brought those ideas to Wyoming’s Legislature, where he balanced budgets, invested for the future, and authored the Hathaway Scholarship and the Wyoming’s Tomorrow Scholarship, helping thousands of Wyomingites further their educations, per his campaign.

Harshman says he believes his background matters, now more than ever.

“We need to keep the focus on all of our kids, whether they are in public, private, or homeschool. Our kids and grandkids are our state’s most precious resource. The campaign will focus on honoring and supporting our teachers and the entire education team, from cooks to custodians to bus drivers to principals,” he said. “We get what we focus on, and we will focus on reading instruction, career readiness, and preparing our young people to prosper in Wyoming so they don’t have to leave the state.”

Harshman will support local decision-making where parents have a voice in their child’s education.

“We have the best schools in the country, and we want to join together to build a culture of continuous improvement,” he said.

As a product of Wyoming’s education system, Harshman understands that “our schools are the heart of our Wyoming towns and the awesome responsibility we all share in that. I believe in Wyoming solutions and our local school boards, who are elected by their neighbors. It’s in our own communities that we see local control works best for Wyoming families and our children.”

Harshman said Wyoming serves as a perfect example to the rest of the country, and he wants to build on that reputation.

“Wyoming’s best days are ahead of us, and it is all about our future,” he said. “We need to grow our Wyoming opportunities so our kids and grandkids can stay in Wyoming. Every child has potential, and Wyoming’s future starts when parents and teachers unlock that potential.”

Harshman said he believes in Wyoming, the state where he and his wife, Becky, raised their four kids.

“I believe in a Wyoming of conservative values where every child has the opportunity to succeed and live the American dream regardless of their ZIP code,” he stated. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve our precious Wyoming, and I’m asking for your support to serve you as Wyoming’s next Superintendent of Public Instruction. Our children are our most valuable resource, and when Wyoming’s students succeed, Wyoming succeeds.”

Harshman joins an ever-growing list of candidates gunning for the role of Wyoming’s state superintendent, including Chad Auer (R), Tom Kelly (R),and Ryan Shollenberger (L). He currently serves as Wyoming’s Representative of House District 37, a seat he’s held since 2003. In 2025 and 2026, Harshman was assigned to the following committees in the House:

For more information, visit http://www.harshmanforwyoming.com/.

Oil City News

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