Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas Dead At 74

Tuesday, June 5th 2007, 7:21 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Sen. Craig Thomas, a conservative Republican from Wyoming, has died after a fight with leukemia that was diagnosed last year just as he was elected for a third term. He was 74.

The senator's family said he died Monday evening at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The family had said earlier in the day that his cancer had been resistant to a second round of chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia.

Thomas was hospitalized with pneumonia just before the 2006 election, but 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 leukemia.

President Bush called Thomas ``a man of character and integrity known for his devotion to the values he shared with the people of Wyoming.''

``He leaves a lasting legacy as a guardian of Wyoming's lands and resources and our country's National Parks,'' Bush said.

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

Freudenthal called Thomas' death ``a very big loss to the people of this state,'' saying ``he carried the values that we treasure in Wyoming to Washington and had many successes.''

Peggy Nighswonger, Wyoming's elections director, said the governor has five days to appoint one of the party's three nominees once he receives the names. That person will serve until the next general election in 2008.

``Wyoming had no greater advocate, taxpayers had no greater watchdog, and rural America had no greater defender than Craig Thomas,'' said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday night.

Thomas was a low-key lawmaker who reliably represented the interests of his conservative state, often becoming involved in public lands issues. He worked in behind-the-scenes posts to oversee national parks.

``The Senate will not be the same,'' said Republican Mike Enzi, Wyoming's other senator.

The state's only member of the House, Republican Barbara Cubin, said Thomas was ``a trusted colleague and a true friend.''

Wyoming Democratic Party Chairman John Millin said Thomas brought ``dignity and thoughtfulness'' to the political process, and Wyoming GOP Chairman Fred Parady called Thomas a ``true champion.''

Thomas entered Congress in a special election in 1989 to replace Dick Cheney when the future vice president was named defense secretary by the first President Bush. Thomas won that race with 52 percent of the vote.

In 1994, Thomas won his first Senate race by beating former Gov. Mike Sullivan and was re-elected with 74 percent of the vote in 2000.

Thomas had previously served five years in the Wyoming Legislature.

He was born in Cody, Wyo., and was raised on a ranch. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in agriculture, then served four years in the U.S. Marines.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and four children.