June 22, 2007 – 1:28 p.m.
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal today appointed Republican state Sen. John Barrasso to the Senate seat vacated by the June 4 death of Craig Thomas.
Freudenthal chose Barrasso, 54, an orthopedic surgeon, from among three GOP nominees to serve until after a November 2008 special election. The Democratic governor was required by state law to choose someone from the same party to replace Thomas, a Republican.
Thomas was re-elected to his third term in November, but was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after his victory and died of the disease June 4.
Barrasso is expected to be the Republican candidate in the 2008 election, which coincides with the regularly scheduled contest for the seat now held by Republican Sen.
“I look forward to working with John Barrasso as he assumes his duties as the interim senator for Wyoming,” Freudenthal said in a statement. “I pledge my cooperation to do all that I can to make sure he is a successful senator.”
Barrasso was first elected to the state Senate in 2002, where he serves as chairman of the Transportation, Highway and Military Affairs Committee.
“I believe in limited government, lower taxes, less spending, traditional family values, local control and a strong national defense,” Barrasso said in his application for the Senate appointment.