{ "id": "eptqb31m12", "slug": "mike-gierau", "title": "Mike Gierau", "updated": "2026-09-29", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials", "label": "US governors and state officials", "api_url": 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a third term in 2026.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.western-and-pacific-state-legislators.alpha-d-to-h", "markdown": "# Mike Gierau\n\nMike Gierau is an American politician who serves as the Minority Leader of the Wyoming Senate[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/). A Democrat, he was elected to District 17 in the Wyoming State Senate in 2018 and has represented the district since 2019[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/). In 2026 he announced that he will run for a third term in the State Senate[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/).\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Democratic[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/) |\n| Current office | Minority Leader, Wyoming Senate[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/); Wyoming State Senator, District 17 (elected 2018)[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nGierau is a Democrat[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/). He announced his 2026 re-election campaign to the Teton County Democratic Party[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/).\n\n## Career\n\nGierau was elected to the Wyoming State Senate from District 17 in 2018[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/). He serves as Minority Leader of the Wyoming Senate[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/). In September 2026, he announced to the Teton County Democratic Party that he would seek a third term in the State Senate, citing support from his family and constituents in Teton County[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/).\n\nOn his campaign website, Gierau writes, \"I am running for re-election to ensure that Teton County has a strong, proven voice representing District 17.\"[2](https://electmikegierau.com/about) He also states, \"During my tenure as your Senator, I have worked across the aisle in Cheyenne and with others throughout Wyoming to fight for the issues that matter to Teton County.\"[2](https://electmikegierau.com/about)\n\n## Electoral history\n\n- **2018** – Elected to the Wyoming State Senate, District 17[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/).\n- **2026** – Candidate for a third term as Wyoming State Senator, District 17[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/).\n\n## Issues specific to Gierau\n\nGierau has centered much of his legislative career on state budgeting. He told Buckrail, \"Wyoming has one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world,\" and described its growth: \"When I started [in the Senate] there was about $18 billion in our investment fund; today, there's closer to $37 billion dollars in that fund.\"[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/) According to the Wyoming State Treasurer's office, earnings from the sovereign wealth fund provide over 30% of Wyoming's annual spending budget, and Gierau expressed interest in continuing to grow the state's investments if re-elected[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/).\n\nHe also emphasizes constituent service. He told Buckrail that he still receives calls from East Jackson residents about snow removal, saying, \"Nobody knows what we do,\" and, \"We're government. [People] just know they need help.\"[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/)\n\n## Positions and voting record\n\n### Healthcare\n\nGierau has said he has a strong interest in finding health care options for \"you and me, regular people.\"[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/) After the expiration of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit at the end of 2025, he told Buckrail, \"Access to healthcare is not good and it needs to be better.\"[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/) He added, \"We have some good services, but frankly the cost of that service is too high.\"[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/) He said, \"I just want to make healthcare more affordable. Not going to the doctor isn't the right answer.\"[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/)\n\n### State budget\n\nGierau has made state budgeting a focus of his Senate career[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/). He has pointed to the growth of Wyoming's state-managed investment funds during his tenure, giving figures of about $18 billion growing to closer to $37 billion, and has said he wants to continue growing the state's investments[1](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/).\n\n### Legislative priorities\n\nOn his campaign website, Gierau lists among the legislation he is most proud of \"tax relief for seniors, funding for K-12 schools, advocating for funding for developmentally disabled children, capital construction for CWC's Jackson campus, funding for small businesses regarding COVID relief, and funding services for at-risk kids.\"[2](https://electmikegierau.com/about)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Sen. Gierau seeks third term with healthcare, budget focus](https://buckrail.com/sen-gierau-seeks-third-term-with-healthcare-budget-focus/)\n2. [Elect Mike Gierau — About](https://electmikegierau.com/about)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Western and Pacific state legislators › Surnames D to H*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-gierau", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-gierau.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Mike Gierau\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-gierau. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Mike Gierau](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-gierau)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-gierau](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-gierau). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Mike Gierau\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-gierau. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Mike Gierau is an American Democratic politician who serves as Minority Leader of the Wyoming Senate, representing District 17 since 2019 and seeking a third term in 2026." }