Matt Mead

Matt Mead
Born	Matthew Hansen Mead 3/11/1962
Birthplace	Jackson, Wyoming, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, politician, rancher
Known for	32nd Governor of Wyoming
Education	University of Wyoming (JD)
Spouse(s)	Carol Mead
Children	2
Awards	Citizen of the West (2023)

Matthew Hansen Mead (born March 11, 1962) is an American attorney, rancher, and politician who served as the 32nd Governor of Wyoming from January 2011 to January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Mead previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming from 2001 to 2007, appointed to that position by President George W. Bush. Born in Jackson, Wyoming, into a family with deep roots in the state's political and ranching traditions — his grandfather, Clifford Hansen, served as both Governor of Wyoming and a United States Senator — Mead built a career that bridged law, public service, and Western land stewardship. As governor, he focused on issues including energy policy, education reform, wildlife management, and federal land use, and he testified before the United States Senate on the Endangered Species Act. Following his two terms as governor, Mead returned to private law practice and ranching in Albany County, Wyoming, and in 2024 joined the law firm Hathaway & Kunz, LLP, as a partner. In 2023, he was honored as the Citizen of the West at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, in recognition of his contributions to Western heritage and land conservation.

Early Life

Matthew Hansen Mead was born on March 11, 1962, in Jackson, Wyoming. He grew up in a family with significant ties to Wyoming politics and ranching. His grandfather, Clifford Hansen, was a prominent figure in Wyoming public life who served as Governor of Wyoming from 1963 to 1967 and as a United States Senator from 1967 to 1978. His mother, Mary Mead, was also active in Wyoming politics.

Mead was raised on a ranch and developed an early connection to the land and the agricultural way of life that has long characterized Wyoming's economy and culture. This ranching background would later inform his political career, particularly his positions on land use, natural resources, and wildlife management. The family's ranch operations provided Mead with practical experience in the challenges faced by Western ranchers, including issues related to federal land management, water rights, and the balance between conservation and economic development.

Growing up in Jackson, a community situated near Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, Mead was exposed from an early age to the complex relationships between federal land management agencies, state government, and local communities that would become central themes of his political career.

Education

Mead attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently returned to Wyoming for his legal education, earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law. His legal training at the state's sole law school grounded him in Wyoming jurisprudence and connected him to the state's legal community, laying the foundation for his later career as a federal prosecutor and eventually as governor.

Career

Early Legal Career

After completing his law degree, Mead entered the practice of law in Wyoming. He established himself as an attorney while also maintaining his family's ranching operations, a dual role that reflected the traditions of many Wyoming public figures who have combined professional careers with agricultural livelihoods.

United States Attorney

In 2001, Mead was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming. He succeeded Dave Freudenthal, who had held the position and would later serve as Governor of Wyoming. Mead assumed the role on October 12, 2001, just weeks after the September 11 attacks, a period during which the responsibilities of federal prosecutors expanded significantly in connection with national security concerns.

During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Mead was responsible for overseeing the prosecution of federal crimes within the District of Wyoming, which encompasses the entire state. The office handled cases involving federal land crimes, drug offenses, immigration matters, and other federal statutory violations. Mead served in this capacity until June 7, 2007, when he was succeeded by Kelly H. Rankin.

His six years as the chief federal law enforcement officer in Wyoming provided Mead with extensive experience in the federal legal system and gave him visibility across the state, assets that would prove valuable in his subsequent political career.

2010 Gubernatorial Campaign

In January 2010, Mead announced his candidacy for Governor of Wyoming. The seat was open as incumbent Governor Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, was term-limited and could not seek re-election. Mead entered a competitive Republican primary field in a state where winning the Republican nomination was widely seen as tantamount to winning the general election.

Mead ran on a platform that emphasized his experience as a federal prosecutor, his ranching background, and his commitment to Wyoming's energy industry and traditional values. His family name carried significant recognition in the state due to his grandfather Clifford Hansen's long record of public service.

Mead won the Republican primary in August 2010, securing the nomination in a field of multiple candidates. He then went on to win the general election in November 2010, defeating his Democratic opponent decisively in the heavily Republican state.

Governor of Wyoming: First Term (2011–2015)

Mead was inaugurated as the 32nd Governor of Wyoming on January 3, 2011, succeeding Dave Freudenthal. His first term was marked by several major policy initiatives and controversies, most notably his handling of education policy and the role of the state superintendent of public instruction.

Education Policy and the Cindy Hill Controversy

One of the most prominent episodes of Mead's first term involved a legislative and legal dispute with Cindy Hill, the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction. In early 2013, Mead signed legislation that stripped Hill of most of her powers, transferring authority over the state's education system to a governor-appointed director. The move generated significant controversy within the state, with supporters arguing it was necessary to improve education administration and critics contending it undermined the authority of an elected official.

Hill challenged the legislation in court, and the dispute became one of the defining political battles of Mead's first term. The Wyoming Supreme Court ultimately ruled portions of the legislation unconstitutional, restoring some of Hill's authority. In 2014, Republican Jillian Balow was elected as the new Superintendent of Public Instruction, effectively resolving the political conflict.

Asset Forfeiture Veto

Mead also drew attention for his veto of a bill related to civil asset forfeiture and due process protections. The Wyoming Liberty Group criticized the governor's decision, arguing that the vetoed legislation would have provided important protections for property rights and due process. An attempt to override the veto in the Wyoming Senate failed, and the issue remained a point of contention between the governor and libertarian-leaning elements within the state's Republican Party.

Governor of Wyoming: Second Term (2015–2019)

Mead won re-election in the 2014 Republican primary, securing the nomination to run for a second term. He went on to win the general election and was inaugurated for his second term in January 2015.

Energy and Natural Resources

During his second term, Mead continued to focus on energy policy, a critical issue for Wyoming, which is one of the nation's leading producers of coal, natural gas, and oil. Wyoming's economy has been heavily dependent on energy extraction, and Mead advocated for policies that supported the state's energy industry while navigating the challenges posed by shifting national energy markets and federal regulatory actions.

Endangered Species Act Testimony

In July 2018, Mead testified before the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works regarding the Endangered Species Act. The hearing, chaired by Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, addressed the impact of the act on states and the need for potential reforms. Mead's testimony drew on Wyoming's experiences with species management, particularly regarding the gray wolf and the grizzly bear, both of which had been subjects of ongoing federal-state disputes over delisting and management authority.

2016 Presidential Election

During the 2016 presidential election cycle, Mead's position on the candidacy of Donald Trump attracted public scrutiny. Despite expressing disapproval of aspects of Trump's candidacy, Mead endorsed the Republican nominee, a decision that was analyzed by Wyoming media outlets. The endorsement was seen as reflecting the complex political calculations faced by Republican governors in states with strong partisan loyalties.

End of Term

Mead's second term concluded on January 7, 2019, when he was succeeded by Mark Gordon, also a Republican. As he prepared to leave office, Mead indicated he would return to his ranch in Albany County, Wyoming, and continue his work in agriculture and law.

Post-Governorship

After leaving office, Mead returned to private life, dividing his time between ranching and legal work. In 2024, he joined the Wyoming law firm of Hathaway & Kunz, LLP, as a partner, returning to the practice of law in a formal capacity.

Mead has continued to engage in public commentary on Wyoming and national affairs. In March 2025, he authored a guest column in Cowboy State Daily honoring former United States Senator Al Simpson of Wyoming, writing about Simpson's character and lamenting the loss of figures who promoted civility in a time of political division.

Personal Life

Mead is married to Carol Mead. The couple has two children. The Mead family operates a ranch in Albany County, Wyoming, and Mead has described ranching as central to his identity and way of life. The ranch has been a family endeavor, and Mead has spoken publicly about the importance of agricultural heritage to Wyoming's culture and economy.

In a 2018 profile in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, the Mead family's ranch life was described in detail, with the governor preparing to transition from the Governor's Mansion back to the rhythms of ranch work following the end of his second term. Mead's ranching activities have encompassed cattle operations, and his involvement in agriculture has informed his positions on issues including federal land management, water policy, and wildlife management throughout his career.

Mead comes from a family with deep roots in Wyoming public life. His grandfather, Clifford Hansen, served as both Governor and U.S. Senator, and his mother, Mary Mead, was also involved in state politics. This multi-generational connection to Wyoming governance has been a recurring theme in coverage of Mead's career.

Recognition

In January 2023, Mead was named the Citizen of the West at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. The honor, presented annually by the National Western Stock Show, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Western heritage, agriculture, and land stewardship. The selection committee cited Mead's deep respect for the land as a primary reason for his selection.

The Citizen of the West award has historically been given to individuals who embody the values of the American West, including stewardship of natural resources, commitment to agriculture, and service to Western communities. Past recipients have included prominent ranchers, politicians, and business leaders from across the Western United States.

Mead's tenure as governor also brought recognition for Wyoming's approach to natural resource management, energy policy, and wildlife stewardship, issues on which he represented the state at the national level, including his 2018 testimony before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Legacy

Mead's eight years as governor coincided with a period of significant change for Wyoming's economy and political landscape. His administration grappled with the challenges of an energy-dependent state facing shifting national markets, particularly the decline of coal production that affected communities across Wyoming. His focus on maintaining Wyoming's energy industry while also addressing wildlife management and federal-state relations on public lands reflected the priorities of a state where natural resources are central to both the economy and the way of life.

The Cindy Hill controversy during his first term highlighted tensions within Wyoming's governmental structure regarding the distribution of power between elected officials and the governor's office. The episode resulted in a Wyoming Supreme Court ruling that clarified constitutional boundaries, contributing to the state's legal precedents regarding separation of powers.

Mead's family background — as the grandson of Clifford Hansen, who served as both governor and senator — placed him within a lineage of Wyoming political figures that spanned more than half a century. His career reflected a continuity of public service in the state, connecting modern governance challenges to the traditions of Western ranching and natural resource stewardship that have long characterized Wyoming's political culture.

Following his governorship, Mead's return to ranching and private law practice, as well as his continued public engagement through writings and community involvement, has maintained his presence in Wyoming public life. His 2023 recognition as Citizen of the West underscored the enduring significance of his contributions to the state and the broader Western region.