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.
Marshall Burt | |
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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 |
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Website |
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Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Service years | 1998–2007 |
Rank | Staff sergeant |
Battles/wars | |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Burt opposes federal and state vaccine mandates, calling them "unconstitutional".[18]
Burt lives in Green River, Wyoming, with his wife, Theresa Burt and his two children. He is a Lutheran.[19]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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 |
House Speaker Barlow allowed Burt to form a caucus for the Libertarian Party during the 2022 session, despite being the body's only member.