Marshall Burt
Burt in 2021
Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
from the 39th district
In office
January 12, 2021 – January 10, 2023
Preceded byStan Blake
Succeeded byCody Wylie
Personal details
Born
Marshall A. Burt

(1976-05-06) May 6, 1976
Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyLibertarian
SpouseTheresa Burt
Children2
ResidenceGreen River, Wyoming
OccupationRailroad inspector, politician
Signature
Website
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Service years1998–2007
RankStaff sergeant
Battles/wars

Marshall A. Burt[1] (born May 6, 1976) is an American politician who served in the Wyoming House of Representatives. A member of the Libertarian Party, Burt represented the 39th district from 2021 to 2023. Burt is the first Libertarian candidate to be elected to a state legislature since Steve Vaillancourt in 2000, and the first third-party candidate elected to the Wyoming Legislature in over 100 years.[2] Burt was defeated by Republican Cody Wylie in the 2022 Wyoming House of Representatives election.

Early life and career

Burt was born in Rochester, Minnesota. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served nine years in Okinawa, Japan, and in the Iraq War.[3] He is employed by the Union Pacific Railroad as a track inspector.[2][4]

Wyoming House of Representatives

Elections

2020

In the 2020 Wyoming House of Representatives election, Burt was one of six Wyoming Libertarian candidates running in competitive districts.[5] Burt ran in the 39th district. In a two-way race, Burt defeated his Democratic opponent, longtime incumbent Stan Blake, receiving 53.6% of the vote to Blake's 44.9%.[6][7]

2022

Burt ran for re-election in the 2022 Wyoming House of Representatives election against Republican Cody Wylie. Burt was defeated by Wylie, receiving 25% of the vote to Wylie's 75%.[8]

Tenure

In March 2021, Burt alongside a bipartisan group of house members, co–sponsored legislation that legalizes the sale, purchase, possession, and cultivation of cannabis, for any Wyoming citizen over the age of twenty–one.[9][10] The bill missed its deadline to be considered by the house after a committee voted to approve it, and subsequently died on the house floor.[11]

A bill identical to the March 2021 bill that would legalize cannabis was reintroduced in February 2022. Burt, once again, alongside a bipartisan group of house members, co–sponsored this legislation.[12][13]

On February 16, 2022, Speaker Eric Barlow recognized the Libertarian Party as a minority party in the House, and Burt became the chairman of the Libertarian caucus.[14][15]

Committee assignments

  • Wyoming House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs[16]
    • Joint Subcommittee on Interstate Compact on Students of Military Families
  • Wyoming House Committee on Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Political positions

Gun policy

Burt is a gun-rights supporter and opposes expanding gun control regulations.[17] He opposes all gun registration and instant background checks, and calls for "no permit or residency required for either open or concealed carry [in the state of Wyoming]".[17]

Healthcare

Burt opposes federal and state vaccine mandates, calling them "unconstitutional".[18]

Personal life

Burt lives in Green River, Wyoming, with his wife, Theresa Burt and his two children. He is a Lutheran.[19]

Electoral history

2020 Wyoming House of Representatives election, District 39[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Marshall Burt 1,696 53.6
Democratic Stan Blake (incumbent) 1,421 44.9
Write-in 47 1.5
Total votes 3,164 100%
Libertarian gain from Democratic
2022 Wyoming House of Representatives election, District 39[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Cody Wylie 1,763 74.4% +74.4
Libertarian Marshall Burt (incumbent) 586 24.7% –28.9
Write-in 20 0.8% –0.7
Total votes 2,369 100%
Republican gain from Libertarian

References

  1. 1 2 Wyoming Secretary of State. "Statewide House Candidates Official Summary – Wyoming General Election, November 3, 2020" (PDF). p. 20. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 Reynolds, Nick (November 5, 2020). "Burt first third-party candidate to win Wyoming race in more than 100 years". Gillette News Record. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  3. ↑ Olsen, Ken. "The Resurrection of Green River". The American Legion. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  4. ↑ "Meet Marshall Burt, Who's About To Become the Libertarian Party's Only Sitting State Legislator". Reason.com. 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  5. ↑ Reynolds, Nick (November 4, 2020). "Green River candidate becomes first Libertarian to win statehouse seat anywhere in U.S. since 2002". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  6. ↑ Doherty, Brian (2020-11-04). "Libertarian Candidate Marshall Burt Wins Wyoming State House Race". Reason. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  7. ↑ "Wyoming State House – District 39 Election Results | The Arizona Republic". www.azcentral.com. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  8. ↑ Harris, Maya Shimizu (November 9, 2022). "Republicans take over independent, minor party seats in Wyoming Legislature". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  9. ↑ Staff, Cannabis Industry Journal (2021-03-03). "Wyoming Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Legalize Cannabis". Cannabis Industry Journal. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  10. ↑ "Bill proposes regulation of marijuana in Wyoming, $30.7 million per year to school fund". Buckrail – Jackson Hole, news. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  11. ↑ LaChance, Brendan (March 23, 2021). "Marijuana legalization dies, missing deadline for consideration in the Wyoming House".
  12. ↑ "Weed Decriminalization Bill Filed In Wyoming Legislature". KGAB AM 650. 15 February 2022.
  13. ↑ Adlin, Ben (February 16, 2022). "Wyoming House Speaker Backs New Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana".
  14. ↑ Mullen, Maggie (8 September 2022). "Record number of independents running for Legislature". WyoFile. Retrieved 10 September 2022. House Speaker Barlow allowed Burt to form a caucus for the Libertarian Party during the 2022 session, despite being the body's only member.
  15. ↑ Congdon, Bekah (23 February 2022). "LP Given Minority Party Status, Committee Appointments In WY". Libertarian Party. Cheyenne. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  16. ↑ Johnson, Tyler (Nov 17, 2020). "Leadership and committee assignments for 66th legislature finalized". Retrieved Feb 4, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Second Amendment". Representative Marshall Burt | Wyoming House 39. Retrieved Feb 4, 2021.
  18. ↑ "A Word From Your Rep: Rep. Marshall Burt discusses federal vaccine mandates". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. 18 October 2021.
  19. ↑ House District 39: Representative Marshall Burt, State of Wyoming 66th Legislature. Wyoleg.gov
  20. ↑ "Wyoming House of Representatives District 39 candidate surveys, 2022".
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