Marshall Burt
Marshall Burt | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Burt in 2021 | |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from the 39th district | |
| In office January 12, 2021 – January 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Stan Blake |
| Succeeded by | Cody Wylie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Marshall A. Burt May 6, 1976 Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Libertarian (before 2020–2024) |
| Spouse | Theresa Burt |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Green River, Wyoming |
| Occupation | Railroad inspector, politician |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Service years | 1998–2007 |
| Rank | Staff sergeant |
| Battles/wars | |
Marshall A. Burt (born May 6, 1976) is an American politician who served in the Wyoming House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, Burt previously was a Libertarian while he represented the 39th district from 2021 to 2023. Burt was the first third-party candidate elected to the Wyoming Legislature in over 100 years.
Early life and career
[edit]Marshall A. Burt was born in Rochester, Minnesota.[1] He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served nine years in Okinawa, Japan, and in the Iraq War.[2][3] He is employed by the Union Pacific Railroad as a track inspector.[4][5]
Wyoming House of Representatives
[edit]Elections
[edit]2020
[edit]In the 2020 Wyoming House of Representatives election, Burt was one of six Wyoming Libertarian candidates running in competitive districts.[6] 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%.[7][8] Burt was the first Libertarian candidate to be elected to a state legislature since Steve Vaillancourt in 2000, and the first third-party candidate elected in Wyoming in over a century.[4]
2022
[edit]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%.[9]
2024
[edit]In May 2024, Burt announced he would be running for his old seat as a Republican, after he left the Libertarian Party.[10]
Tenure
[edit]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.[11][12] 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.[13] 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.[14][15]
During that same month, Burt introduced legislation to help persons with disabilities extend their access to motorcycles. The bill was passed unanimously through both the Wyoming House and Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Mark Gordon.[16][10] Speaker Eric Barlow also recognized the Libertarian Party as a minority party in the House, and Burt became the chairman of the Libertarian caucus.[17][18]
Committee assignments
[edit]- Wyoming House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs[19]
- Joint Subcommittee on Interstate Compact on Students of Military Families
- Wyoming House Committee on Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Political positions
[edit]Gun policy
[edit]Burt is a gun-rights supporter and opposes expanding gun control regulations.[20] 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]".[20]
Healthcare
[edit]Burt opposes federal and state vaccine mandates, calling them "unconstitutional".[21]
Personal life
[edit]Burt lives in Green River, Wyoming, with his wife, Theresa Burt and his two children. He is a Lutheran.[22]
Electoral history
[edit]| 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 | ||||
| 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
[edit]- ^ a b Wyoming Secretary of State. "Statewide House Candidates Official Summary – Wyoming General Election, November 3, 2020" (PDF). p. 20. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20211208211535/https://burtforliberty.com/bio/ [bare URL]
- ^ Olsen, Ken. "The Resurrection of Green River". The American Legion. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Doherty, Brian (2020-11-04). "Libertarian Candidate Marshall Burt Wins Wyoming State House Race". Reason. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
- ^ "Wyoming State House – District 39 Election Results | The Arizona Republic". www.azcentral.com. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
- ^ Harris, Maya Shimizu (November 9, 2022). "Republicans take over independent, minor party seats in Wyoming Legislature". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
- ^ a b "Former Libertarian Runs As Republican To Win…". Cowboy State Daily.
- ^ Staff, Cannabis Industry Journal (2021-03-03). "Wyoming Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Legalize Cannabis". Cannabis Industry Journal. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "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.
- ^ LaChance, Brendan (March 23, 2021). "Marijuana legalization dies, missing deadline for consideration in the Wyoming House".
- ^ "Weed Decriminalization Bill Filed In Wyoming Legislature". KGAB AM 650. 15 February 2022.
- ^ Adlin, Ben (February 16, 2022). "Wyoming House Speaker Backs New Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana".
- ^ Mullen, Maggie (September 8, 2022). "Record number of independents running for Legislature". WyoFile.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Congdon, Bekah (23 February 2022). "LP Given Minority Party Status, Committee Appointments In WY". Libertarian Party. Cheyenne. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Tyler (Nov 17, 2020). "Leadership and committee assignments for 66th legislature finalized". Retrieved Feb 4, 2021.
- ^ a b https://web.archive.org/web/20211208211628/https://burtforliberty.com/second-amendment/ [bare URL]
- ^ "A Word From Your Rep: Rep. Marshall Burt discusses federal vaccine mandates". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. 18 October 2021.
- ^ House District 39: Representative Marshall Burt, State of Wyoming 66th Legislature. Wyoleg.gov
- ^ "Wyoming House of Representatives District 39 candidate surveys, 2022".
External links
[edit]- 1976 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American legislators
- 21st-century Wyoming politicians
- Members of the Wyoming House of Representatives
- Military personnel from Minnesota
- People from Green River, Wyoming
- People from Pine Island, Minnesota
- Wyoming Libertarians
- Libertarian Party (United States) officeholders