Joseph Keyes

   

The Honorable Joseph Keyes
Governor of Wyoming
Incumbent
Assumed office March 20, 2022
Deputy	Frederick Kaine
Preceded by	Garrett King
Lieutenant Governor of Wyoming
In office March 14, 2019 – March 20, 2022
Governor	Garrett King
Preceded by	Ethan Hamilton
Succeeded by	Frederick Kaine
Member of the Diet of Wyoming for the 2nd distirct
In office February 20, 2012 – March 14, 2019
Preceded by	Christopher Floyd
Succeeded by	Clara Schultz
Personal details
Born	(1958-03-20) March 20, 1958 San Diego, Laguna, Sierra
Nationality	Superian
Political party	United Conservative
Spouse(s)	Amy Bullock (m. 1981, died 1998) Jennifer Muller (m. 2002)
Children	4
Education	University of Sierra, San Joaquin

Joseph Alexander Keyes (born March 20, 1958) is a Superian politician serving as governor of the State of Wyoming since March 20, 2022. Prior to 2022, Keyes served as lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2022 and was a member of the Diet of Wyoming for the 2nd district from 2012 to 2019. He was a notable diet member within the state legislature during his tenure. A member of the United Conservative Party, Keyes has been a well-known political figure in Wyoming and state politics throughout much of his political career. During his state senate career, he was a supporter of Justin LeMour and campaigned for him during his tenure as a Member of the House of Delegates for Wyoming Proper.

After MeLour was injured in an automative accident, there would be a special election to fill his seat with Keyes running for the United Conservative nomination. He acquired MeLour's endorsement and won the primaries to become the United Conservative nominee for the 2018 Wyoming Proper special election and faced off against Michelle Swinson of the Liberal Democratic Party and Anietta Johnson of the Constitution and Unionist Party. Keyes was initially the front runner, but was defeated in a major upset victory by Johnson winning only 27.6% of the vote to Johnson's 44.2%. After her victory, he congratulated Johnson and took a break from politics and public life.

In March of 2019, Lieutenant Governor Ethan Hamilton resigned due to health concerns and Keyes would eventually be appointed by Governor Garrett King to be his replacement. Keyes' nomination was approved by the state senate overwhelmingly and was sworn in on March 20, 2019. During his tenure as lieutenant governor, he's supported Kings' legislative agenda and has risen to become a powerful figure in Wyoming state politics. He's campaigned for Johnson and other Conservative Coalition candidates. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he's become controversial for allowing the rescinding of the state's mask mandate on March 22, 2021 and has stated no plans to reinstate it for the near future.

On November 12, Keyes announced he would run for the governorship after Garrett King stated his intent to step down citing term limits and a desire to retire from politics overall. Keyes would contest the United Conservative primary and won the nomination on January 30 for the 2022 Wyoming gubernatorial election. Keyes would emege victorious over Liberal Democrat Felix van Duune. He was worn in on March 20.

Early life and education

Joseph Keyes was born on March 20, 1958, in the city of San Diego, Laguna in the Kingdom of Sierra. His father was born in Superior and lived in Sierra for his job while his mother was originally born in Sierra and was native of Laguna where the two met in San Diego around 1945.

2018 special election campaign

Election

Main article: 2018 Wyoming Proper special election

Electoral history

2018 Wyoming Proper special election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Tory Unionist	Anietta Johnson	25,144	44.3%	+31.4%
	Tory	Joseph Keyes	11,245	27.6%	-27.7%
	Liberal Democrat	Michell Swinson	4,322	10.6%	-
Turnout			40,711	82.5%
	Tory Unionist gain from Tory		Swing

2022 Wyoming gubernatorial election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Tory	Joseph Keyes/Frederick Kaine	122,843	TBD
	Liberal Democrat	Felix Van Duune/Joe Parker	72,233	TBD
Turnout			50,610
	Tory hold		Swing