SUPERIOR — A Superior man who served four terms as the Republican Sheriff of Spokane County, Washington is setting his sights on becoming Wyoming’s next governor.

Ozzie Knezovich announced his intent to run Tuesday, joining Eric Barlow, Brent Bien, and Megan Deganfelder in seeking election to the governor’s office.

Knezovich was born and raised in Rock Springs and Superior. His family has lived in Superior since 1907, where his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father worked in coal mines. He is an Army veteran and a retired law enforcement officer. Today, Knezovich serves as the volunteer public safety director and chief of police for the Town of Superior. He was also elected to the Western Wyoming Community College Board of Trustees in 2024.

“I enjoy serving my community — whether it’s taking drug dealers off our streets or making sure our young people have access to the education and training that leads to good Wyoming jobs close to home,” he said in his announcement. “As sheriff I served nearly 17 years in the executive branch of government. I understand what it takes to make things happen. More importantly, I understand it is the job of the governor to stand for Wyoming, to make Wyoming First.” 

“In 2016 I stopped an unconstitutional law designed to stop Wyoming coal cars from coming through Spokane authored by the progressive Spokane City Council. I stated at the time, ‘It’s unconstitutional. It’s an illegal law,’ … ‘I have a duty to stand up against it, and I will,’” he said. 

As governor, Knezovich said he will continue fighting for Wyoming’s energy sector as it is the backbone of economic security for the state and nation. He also views protecting Wyoming ranchers and its cattle industry as vital to the state and its way of life.

“Ensuring the survival of small-town Wyoming is a key concern because small-town Wyoming is Wyoming. I will make sure people back East and in California understand what the term ‘multiple use’ really means when it comes to our public lands,” he said.  “I will be the voice of the forgotten issue, America’s national debt. A debt that threatens the future of our children, grandchildren, Wyoming, and nation. The solutions are clear: expand our economy, stop wasting our tax dollars and stop spending money government does not have.”

Knezovich said he looks forward to serving Wyoming residents and looks forward to working with President Donald Trump to make the state and nation manufacturing, tech, and energy giants.

“Time to bring back the American Dream for every Wyoming worker and family, while preserving Wyoming’s heritage for our kids and grandkids,” he said. “I ask for your prayers, your support, and your vote as we move to make Wyoming the economic powerhouse it should be.”