Craig Thomas

Craig Lyle Thomas, a Republican, was a senator from Wyoming from 1995 until his 2007 death in office.

Iraq War
Thomas voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq in Oct. 2002.

Background
Thomas, born February 17, 1933, is considered an expert on agriculture and rural development. He has served in important positions in several state agencies. His most lengthy job was as executive vice president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau from 1965 until 1974. He was also an independent small businessman. In 1984, he was elected to the state legislature, in which he served until 1989.

Senate Career
In 1989, Dick Cheney, who occupied Wyoming's only seat in the United States House of Representatives, resigned from it in order to become United States Secretary of Defense. Thomas became the Republican candidate to replace him in the April 1989 special election, and he won. He was reelected in 1990 and 1992. In 1994 he ran for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Malcolm Wallop and won that election as well. He was reelected in 2000 and is again up for reelection in November 2006.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Dale Groutage to challenge Thomas in his bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Illness and death
During the final stretch of the November 2006 elections, Thomas was diagnosed with leukemia. He was initially responsive to treatment, and returned to work on December 4, 2006. Thomas' condition worsened significantly in June 2007, however, and he was listed in "serious condition" after his cancer resisted a second round of chemotherapy. On June 4, 2007, Thomas died at age 74.

Appointment of successors
According to Wyoming law, within 15 days of Thomas' death, the state Republican Party was required to nominate three potential replacements for him. The governor, in this case Democrat Dave Freudenthal, would then have five days to select one of the three nominees. The replacement selected would serve temporarily until the next general election (2008), when a new senator would be elected to complete the term. Before the Republican state central committee made its selection, possible replacements included former Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tom Sansonetti, a former chief of staff to Sen. Thomas, Wyoming state Rep. Colin Simpson, son of former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.), Randall Luthi, a former state House Speaker who earlier this year was appointed deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state Sen. John Barrasso, state Sen. Cale Case, attorney Bruce Asay, and retired Navy Capt. Bill Winney. Rep. Barbara Cubin, an expected choice, declined to be considered, intending instead to fulfill her seventh term as Wyoming's at-large representative. She did not, however, rule out a possible run for the Senate seat in the 2008 special election. On June, 11, 2007, the Wyoming Republican Party announced that it would nominate potential replacements for Thomas on June 19, 2007.

Three finalists selected
On June 19, 2007, the Wyoming Republican central committee selected three potential replacements for Senator Thomas: Following the Republican committee's selections, Democratic Governor Dave Freudenthal would have five days to select one of the three as Thomas' successor.
 * State Senator John Barrasso
 * Former State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis
 * Former Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tom Sansonetti

John Barrasso selected
On June 22, 2007, John Barrasso was selected by Democratic Governor Dave Freudenthal to replace the late Sen. Craig Thomas. It is expected that Barrasso will be a conservative voice in the Senate. On his application, Barrasso stated, "I believe in limited government, lower taxes, less spending, traditional family values, local control and a strong national defense." He said he has "voted for prayer in schools, against gay marriage and [has] sponsored legislation to protect the sanctity of life."

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * Senate Committee on Finance
 * Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
 * Subcommittee on Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight and Children's Health Protection
 * Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection
 * Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Water and Power
 * Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
 * Subcommittee on National Parks

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
 * Subcommittee on Forestry Conservation and Rural Revitalization
 * Subcommittee on Marketing Inspection and Production Promotion
 * Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy
 * Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
 * Subcommittee on National Parks - Chair
 * Senate Select Committee on Ethics
 * Senate Committee on Finance
 * Subcommittee on Health Care
 * Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight
 * Subcommittee on International Trade - Chair
 * Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Congressional Sportsman's Caucus
 * Senate National Guard Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Senate Rural Health Caucus

Boards and other Affiliations

 * American Farm Bureau, 1966-1975

Resources

 * Official website

Articles

 * "Wyoming's Sen. Craig Thomas has leukemia," CNN, November 9, 2006.
 * Bob Cusack and Aaron Blake, "Sen. Craig Thomas dies," The Hill, June 4, 2007.