| Marshall Burt | |
| State House: | Wyoming |
| District: | 39th |
| Term Start: | January 12, 2021 |
| Term End: | January 10, 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Stan Blake |
| Successor: | Cody Wylie |
| Party: | Republican (2024–present) |
| Otherparty: | Libertarian (before 2020–2024) |
| Birth Name: | Marshall A. Burt |
| Birth Date: | 6 May 1976 |
| Birth Place: | Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Residence: | Green River, Wyoming |
| Spouse: | Theresa Burt |
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Railroad inspector, politician |
| Signature: | Marshall Burt signature.svg |
| Signature Size: | 150px |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Marine Corps |
| Serviceyears Label: | Service years |
| Serviceyears: | 1998–2007 |
| Rank: | Staff sergeant |
| Battles: |
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Marshall A. Burt (born May 6, 1976) is an American politician who served in the Wyoming House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, Burt previously was a Libertarian while he represented the 39th district from 2021 to 2023. Burt was the first third-party candidate elected to the Wyoming Legislature in over 100 years.
Marshall A. 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.[1] [2] He is employed by the Union Pacific Railroad as a track inspector.[3]
In the 2020 Wyoming House of Representatives election, Burt was one of six Wyoming Libertarian candidates running in competitive districts.[4] 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%.[5] [6] Burt was the first Libertarian candidate to be elected to a state legislature since Steve Vaillancourt in 2000, and the first third-party candidate elected in Wyoming in over a century.[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.[10] [11] 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.[12] 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.[13] [14]
During that same month, Burt introduced legislation to help persons with disabilities extend their access to motorcycles. The bill was passed unanimously through both the Wyoming House and Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Mark Gordon.[15] [8] Speaker Eric Barlow also recognized the Libertarian Party as a minority party in the House, and Burt became the chairman of the Libertarian caucus.[16] [17]
Burt is a gun-rights supporter and opposes expanding gun control regulations.[19] 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]".[19]
Burt opposes federal and state vaccine mandates, calling them "unconstitutional".[20]
Burt lives in Green River, Wyoming, with his wife, Theresa Burt and his two children. He is a Lutheran.[21]
See also: 2024 Wyoming House of Representatives election #District 39. In May 2024, Burt announced he would be running for his old seat as a Republican, after he left the Libertarian Party.[8]