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 | Libertarian |
| 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[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[edit]
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[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.[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[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%.[8]
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.[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[edit]
- 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[edit]
Gun policy[edit]
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[edit]
Burt opposes federal and state vaccine mandates, calling them "unconstitutional".[18]
Personal life[edit]
Burt lives in Green River, Wyoming, with his wife, Theresa Burt and his two children. He is a Lutheran.[19]
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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Olsen, Ken. "The Resurrection of Green River". The American Legion. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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 (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 "Second Amendment". Representative Marshall Burt | Wyoming House 39. Retrieved Feb 4, 2021.
- ^ "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".