Full Version: RIP Craig Thomas
US Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyo) died Monday in Bethesda, MD. He suffered from acute myeloid leukemia and had been receiving chemo-therapy for it. The littl blurb about him and this situation can be found here. My sympathies go out to his friends and loved ones.
I am a little surprised that we haven't heard more about this from a political standpoint though. What I found particularly interesting in the story referenced above is that the Governor of Wyoming, a Democrat would choose Sen. Thomas' replacement from a list of candidates submitted by the Wyoming Republican Party. I don't know if this is a part of Wyoming state law or not, but I do find it interesting that more hasn't been made of this politically. Given the razor-thin margin for the Democrats in the Senate one would think there would be a huge amount of pressure from them on the Governor to replace Sen. Thomas with a Democrat. I find this curious.
No real question to debate, thaat's why I posted this here, but I do find it interesting.
Aquilla
I am a little surprised that we haven't heard more about this from a political standpoint though. What I found particularly interesting in the story referenced above is that the Governor of Wyoming, a Democrat would choose Sen. Thomas' replacement from a list of candidates submitted by the Wyoming Republican Party. I don't know if this is a part of Wyoming state law or not, but I do find it interesting that more hasn't been made of this politically. Given the razor-thin margin for the Democrats in the Senate one would think there would be a huge amount of pressure from them on the Governor to replace Sen. Thomas with a Democrat. I find this curious.
No real question to debate, thaat's why I posted this here, but I do find it interesting.
Aquilla
This might answer your question about Wyoming law.
QUOTE
His death is unlikely to alter the 51-49 Democratic majority in the Senate. Under Wyoming law, Thomas's replacement will be appointed by Wyoming Governor David Freudenthal, a Democrat, who will select from a list of three people recommended by the Wyoming Republican Party, according to the state Elections Director Peggy Nighswonger.
See Bloomberg.com.
QUOTE(TedN5 @ Jun 5 2007, 07:54 AM) 
This might answer your question about Wyoming law.
QUOTE
His death is unlikely to alter the 51-49 Democratic majority in the Senate. Under Wyoming law, Thomas's replacement will be appointed by Wyoming Governor David Freudenthal, a Democrat, who will select from a list of three people recommended by the Wyoming Republican Party, according to the state Elections Director Peggy Nighswonger.
See Bloomberg.com.Actually, there is a state law in Wyoming that states the political party of the deceased Senator is responsible for selecting three candidates from which the Governor must choose. From NPR........
QUOTE
CASPER THE FRIENDLY STATE: I was flat out wrong in my Dec. 20 assertion that, with Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas ® having been diagnosed with leukemia, Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal could find himself naming a Democrat to the Senate seat. Not so, says Tim Stubson of Casper: "Wyoming law requires that in the event a U.S. Senate seat is vacated, the state central committee of the senator's party is to select three candidates and forward those names to the governor for a final appointment. It is highly unlikely (read: impossible) that the Wyoming Republican Party would suggest a Democrat as one of its three selections and that a Democrat would fill Sen. Thomas' seat." (Thanks also to Nicholas Ohh of London, Carroll Ann Mears of NBC News in Washington, D.C., and David N. of New York City.)
Aquilla
Aquilla, I think this is a good thread - one with ramifications beyond Craig Thomas.
The balance in the Senate is on a teeter-totter of sorts. Senator Tim Johnson's stroke right after the 2006 elections caused much concern. Many of the Senators are getting old - Robert Byrd is 90.
The wild-card in all of this is that states have different laws regarding replacement of sick or dying Senators.
My best wishes to Senator Thomas’s family and friends.
The balance in the Senate is on a teeter-totter of sorts. Senator Tim Johnson's stroke right after the 2006 elections caused much concern. Many of the Senators are getting old - Robert Byrd is 90.
The wild-card in all of this is that states have different laws regarding replacement of sick or dying Senators.
My best wishes to Senator Thomas’s family and friends.
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