News / People
Senator Craig Thomas dies at 74
Republican Senator Craig Thomas died on Monday at the age of 74. He died after a year long battle against leukemia at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
Before he got into politics he attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a degree in agriculture. He then joined the Marines and served four year. Thomas beat former Gov. Mike Sullivan in 1994 winning his first Senate race. He was re-elected in 2000 with 74 percent of the vote.
In 1989 Thomas first entered Congress when a special election was held to replace Dick Cheney when he became appointed the Secretary of Defense by then President George H.W. Bush. Thomas won the race with 52 percent of the vote.
According to the law Gov. Dave Freudenthal will appoint someone to fill the vacancy from three finalist chosen by the state Republican Party. Once the three finalists are chosen the Governor, a democrat, has five days to name the successor. The new senator will serve until the 2008 general election where a special election will decide who completes the rest of Thomas’ term that ends in 2012.
President Bush said that Thomas was a "man of character and integrity known for his devotion to the values he shared with the people of Wyoming." Bush also said "He leaves a lasting legacy as a guardian of Wyoming's lands and resources and our country's National Parks."
"Even in a time of serious illness Craig was faithful to his duties in the United States Senate," Vice President Dick Cheney said. "His passing represents a profound loss to the Senate, to Wyoming, and to America."
Gov. Freudenthal said that the death of Thomas was "a big loss to the people of this state."
Thomas is survived by his wife and four children.
