Wyoming Sen. Thomas dead at 74 [Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming) has died.]

AP ^ | 6-4-07 | MARY CLARE JALONICK

[Anti-Bubba182]

Just announced died of leukemia:

WASHINGTON — Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas, a three-term conservative Republican who stayed clear of the Washington limelight and political catfights, died Monday. He was 74.

The senator's family issued a statement saying he died Monday evening at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He had been receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia.

Just before the 2006 election, Thomas was hospitalized with pneumonia and had to cancel his last campaign stops. He nonetheless won with 70 percent of the vote, monitoring the election from his hospital bed.

Two days after the election, Thomas announced that he had just been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, will appoint a successor from one of three finalists chosen by the state Republican party........"

[Plutarch]

Senate Website

Unfortunately, he was an anti-amnesty vote we won't have.

Thomas: Immigration Deal Badly Bungled
Senator says bill gives far too much blanket amnesty, will cost trillions

listen to Radio Clip

May 17th, 2007 - WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Craig Thomas said the immigration compromise recently struck in the Senate allows blanket amnesty and will cost our nation vast amounts of money in entitlement spending.

“Senate deal-makers have failed to make the necessary changes to enact a strong national immigration policy. What we have before us will grant amnesty at most every turn. This policy affords a path to citizenship for nearly every type of illegal immigration possible.”

“This poorly crafted compromise will end up costing taxpayers trillions of dollars in entitlement spending. Our already straining Social Security and Medicare system will take on far more than it can handle – costing taxpayers for many years to come.”

“The Heritage Foundation recently reported that if current adult illegal immigrants in the U.S. were granted amnesty, the net retirement costs to government, -- their benefits minus taxes -- will be well over $2.5 trillion.”

“I’m against creating a special law that rewards illegal behavior by providing a path to citizenship. And I’m against this so-called compromise.”

“I was clear at the outset of our immigration debate last year that I would oppose a bill that is either weak or allows amnesty. While there are certain limited exceptions which merit special attention, none of them make a case for blanket amnesty,” Thomas said.

Senator Thomas’ Priorities:

• Opposes amnesty in any form;

• Supports strengthening border security and protection;

• Supports mandatory electronic employment verification; and,

• Supports tough employer accountability provisions which increase penalties for those who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.  

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[SLB]

Am I incorrect in stating the governor can appoint who he wants? I did not know he would replace him with another republican. Interesting - The last Wyoming governor was a Republican, my third cousin, wow - I might have a shirt tail relative in the hallowed halls of the Senate.

[Cedric]

I believe Wyoming is one of 5 states which mandates that a replacement Senator be from the same party as the deceased.

[pissant]

He sounds like a man of faith. He’s in good hands now.

[Myrddin]

God Bless him. Wyoming has a Democratic Gov. A seat we just lost

The governor already agreed to select a Republican replacement earlier today. Do your homework.

[Ingtar]

Somehow I just cannot imagine going to the DUmp to see the cheering.

[gpapa]

A spokesman for the Wyoming secretary of state told FOX News that in the event of the senator’s passing, the governor chooses from a limited list of qualified candidates submitted from the replacement senator’s own party. The governor of Wyoming, Dave Freudenthal, is a Democrat but state law removes any possibility of a party switch in the replacement process. (Source: Fox News http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,277913,00.html)

[AmericanMade1776]

U.S. Senator Craig Thomas, a Wyoming Republican, had leukemia,

[Faith]

Holy Father,

Please send peace and comfort on the wings of Your Spirit to the family of Senator Thomas. We pray that he was ready to receive his Savior and to be welcomed into the gates of heaven. We thank You for the work of honor that he did for his family and his country. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

[commish]

Senator Thomas was just reelected in 2006, so this means an extra democrat for the next 5 1/2 years!

uh, NO!

Wyoming law requires that the Senator be replaced by the governor from a group of 3 selected by Party Committee of the Senator forced from office. The replacement will serve until the next general election (2008), a replacement will then be elected to serve the remainder of the term.

[LdSentinal]

No, the governor will be forced to select from three Republicans. The next election will be in November 2008.

RIP Senator.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Sen. Thomas in critical condition

"..If Thomas is unable to complete his term, it is likely he would be replaced by a Republican. But the process is unusual.

Once the state’s governor, currently Democrat Dave Freudenthal, is notified of the vacancy, he would notify the state central committee of the outgoing incumbent’s party — in Thomas’s case, the Republicans.

The Republican state central committee chairman would then have 15 days to conduct a meeting to select three names of candidates who would satisfy constitutional requirements.

Those names would then be given to the governor, who would have five days to select one of them for a temporary appointment. The appointee would serve until the next general election, at which point a new senator would be elected to serve out the term..."

[hole_n_one]

Sorry to hear that, but a battle with cancer is not one you’ll win.

When FR hands out the FReepies at years end, you're a lock for the Most Ignorant Reply award.

[colorcountry]

I love my neighbor Wyoming and I mourn with her over the loss of her beloved son.

RIP Senator Thomas.

[iowamark]

A great loss. Senator Thomas was solidly pro-life and was just re-elected last year with 70% of the vote.

From wikipedia:
“”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 and won the United States Senate seat being vacated by Malcolm Wallop. He was reelected in 2000. He was again reelected in 2006, easily defeating Democrat Dale Groutage.

Two days after the 2006 election, Thomas was diagnosed with leukemia.

Thomas and his wife Susan have four children.””

[LdSentinal]

Incorrect.

[AmericanMade1776]

jwalsh07 wrote: Diagnosed with leukemia last year. Chemo didn’t get it done. Tough disease.

I lost a good friend to Leukemia, and yes it is.

[clintonh8r]

Thanks for the information. Condolences to the senator’s family.

[acapesket]

Oh Dear! I am with you my FRiend. Rest in Peace Senator.

[murron]

Not necessarily. I just saws a news report that said the governor will choose his successor from 3 candidates presented to him from the Wyoming Republican Party. It must be some state law or something.