Tenure
Gordon was sworn in on January 7, 2019.
Amid a November 2020 spike in coronavirus cases, Gordon imposed some restrictions on indoor and outdoor public gatherings. He did not implement curfews, temporarily close any businesses or initially impose a statewide mask mandate.[14] Gordon and his wife, Jennie Gordon, contracted COVID-19 later in the month.[15] In December 2020, Gordon imposed a statewide mask mandate.[16] In February 2021, he extended that order until the end of the month.[17] On March 8, 2021, he announced that he would lift the mask mandate on March 16.[18] On March 16, the mask mandate was lifted.[19] As of March 30, Gordon has no plans to reinstate the mask mandate.[20]
In November 2020, Gordon proposed $500 million in cuts to the Wyoming budget to account for declining revenue from the fossil fuel industry (particularly coal mining), which is crucial to Wyoming's economy.[21] On April 2, 2021, he signed a budget passed by the Wyoming legislature that cut $430 million instead of the $500 million Gordon proposed,[22] due to improved budget forecasts for the year of 2021 and supplemental money from the American Rescue Plan Act[23] signed by President Biden. The budget Gordon signed decreases the amount cut to the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Department of Health.
In 2021, a New York Times investigation revealed that Gordon had been targeted by hard-right conservatives, such as Susan Gore, the heiress to the Gore-Tex fortune. Gore funded secret operatives who targeted Gordon.[24] Part of this is due to Gordon's investment in renewable energy and policy on climate change, which led to a vote of no confidence by the state party.[25] Gordon has embraced wind energy as a part of Wyoming's economic exports, such as the developing Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project.[26]
As of 2022, Gordon often polls as one of the nation's most popular governors.[27][28]
On March 7, 2024, Gordon banned Delta 8 hemp in Wyoming.[29]
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