John Barrasso

John Antony Barrasso, a Republican, has been the junior senator from Wyoming since 2007. He was chosen on June 22, 2007 by Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal to replace Sen. Craig Thomas, who had recently died of leukemia. Barrasso's appointment was temporary, as a special election was to be held in 2008.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Oil Record
John Barrasso has voted in favor of big oil companies on 100% of important oil related bills, according to Oil Change International. These bills include Iraq War funding, climate change studies, clean energy, and oil import reductions. See below for oil and coal money in politics.

Political views
Barrasso is considered a "conservative" and is "pro-life," although he has changed his position on this issue. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for the Senate in 1996 for the seat vacated by the moderate Alan Simpson of Cody, an abortion-rights supporter. In 1996, Barrasso characterized himself as "pro-choice." He lost the primary to anti-abortion advocate Mike Enzi. While in the the State Senate, he received an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association.

In his application to fill Thomas' seat in 2007, Barrasso expressed that he would be a conservative voice in Washington. He wrote, "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."

Bio
Barrasso graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. with a bachelor of science degree in 1974. He received his medical degree from Georgetown in 1978. He conducted his residency at Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut.

In addition to a private practice, he served as chief of staff of the Wyoming Medical Center, state president of the Wyoming Medical Society, president of the National Association of Physician Broadcasters, and a member of the American Medical Association Council of Ethics and Judicial Affairs.

He also served as a member of the board of directors of "Presidential Classroom," a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that brings young people to Washington to learn about their national government. Barrasso was also a member of the Casper Chamber of Commerce and the Casper Rotary Club.

Barrasso was elected to the Wyoming State Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.

In the State Senate, he served on the following committees:


 * Labor, Health and Social Services Committee
 * Select Committee on Legislative Technology
 * Department of Health Advisory Council
 * NCSL - Labor and Workforce Development
 * NCSL - Transportation
 * CSG West - Trade & Transportation
 * Chairman: Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs

Speculation about 2008 special election
After Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) appointed Barrasso over former state Treasurer Cynthia Lummis (R) and one-time Craig Thomas Chief of Staff Tom Sansonetti, a former state GOP chairman, many Wyoming Republicans geared for the possibility of challenging Barrasso in the 2008 special election. In his application for the Senate seat, Barrasso already expressed his intention to seek the final four years of Thomas’ term. Ambitious Wyoming Republicans are refusing to rule out challenging either him or Rep. Barbara Cubin in next year’s GOP primaries.

Matt Mead (R), a U.S. attorney who resigned so he could apply for the Senate vacancy, commented "I haven’t ruled anything out yet," hinting that he may make a bid for Barrasso's seat. Mead's grandfather, Clifford Hansen, served the state as governor and Senator.

State Rep. Colin Simpson (R), the Majority Floor Leader of the Wyoming House of Representatives and the son former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.), also declined on Tuesday to rule out running for federal office in 2008, even if that means challenging Barrasso or Cubin in a primary.

Cynthia Lummis, one of the choices for Thomas' seat, said in an interview that she would not run against Cubin in a primary, citing her status as a sitting Republican officeholder, but she said she was contemplating a bid against Barrasso because she did not view him as a traditional incumbent. "That is an interim appointment, so that is a different circumstance," she commented.

Democrats also considered running for the seat, as Barrasso would only have served 18 months Election Day 2008. State Sen. Mike Massie, 2002 gubernatorial candidate Paul Hickey and former state Rep. Patrick Hacker all considered a bid.

Oil and Coal Money in Politics
John Barrasso has received $136,400 in oil contributions during the 110th congress. $110,500 of those dollars were from industry PACS. These numbers make Barrasso one of the top recipients of oil and coal money in the Senate. In addition to oil money, Barrasso has accepted $82,250 in coal contributions during the 110th congress. $70,000 of those dollars were from industry PACS. See above for oil and energy voting record.

External resources

 * Wyoming Senate Members Site


 * Health Grades (Medical Research Site)


 * National Science Bowl 2006


 * CSN News


 * Unique Opportunities Magazine for Physicians May 2000


 * Barrasso Official Statement


 * See how you compare to John Barrasso
 * Follow the Oil Money-Senate
 * Vote Tracker
 * Follow the Coal Money- Senate
 * Appalachian Voices