An article on the “Mechanics of Senatorial Replacement” is up at the WYGOP website.
Chairman Parady notes that today [ed. note: June 5] he received official notification of the vacancy in office from Governor Freudenthal. Therefore, according to Wyoming statute, we have 15 days to select the names of three persons who are qualified to hold the office and forward those names to the Governor for his final selection,” noted Chairman Parady. “Our process to fill this statutory duty will be exhaustive and fair, and three outstanding Republican candidates will be forwarded to the Governor. We will announce details – where, when, etc. – after the funeral. Our goal is to provide Wyoming with the best possible United States Senator, which is who we have had.”
Parady also stated:
“Out of respect for the family and Senator Thomas’ legacy of service to Wyoming, we would ask the media and everyone to dampen speculation concerning a successor until after the funeral,”
I don’t want this to sound calloused or insensitive, but the fact is that the Wyoming Republican Party will have to present a list of three names to the Governor in exactly two weeks. At this point, I am very concerned and speculative as to who those names may be. I firmly believe that the best way to respect Senator Thomas’ legacy of service to Wyoming is to ensure that his replacement follows in the same conservative tradition as he did. This immediate speculation is necessary and can be done in a tasteful, respective manner.
My mom posted an AP article with early speculation over at Sunflower Desert. Wyoming’s U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin has already ruled herself out. In my opinion, she would be an amazing Senator for Wyoming, but her decision does not surprise me given the condition of her husband’s health.
Jackson Hole News & Guide’s latest article, “Mead seen as fill-in for Thomas,” has a few additional names for consideration:
Despite the reticence of most people, three names seem to have moved to the forefront of the list: Rep. Colin Simpson, R-Cody, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Casper, and Jackson native and current U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Matt Mead.
“The e-mail is flying this morning,” said Rep. Keith Gingery, R-Jackson. “Colin Simpson seems to be the front runner, Matt Mead’s name keeps popping up, John Barrasso, I am almost positive he will stick his name in for it.”
[…]
While these three may be considered the front runners for the nomination numerous other dark horse possibilities exist.
Sen. Grant Larson, R-Jackson, who is serving his fourth term in the Senate and is a former president of that body, said people have approached him about the position but he declined to comment on whether he would be interested in making the move to Washington.
Others who could be viable candidates include former Wyoming Speaker of the House and current Wyoming Republican Party Chairman Fred Parady, and former state treasurer Cynthia Loomis, said Dr. Jim King, professor of political science at the University of Wyoming.
“I would imagine there are a lot of people who are interested,” he said. “When you think back to ’96 when Alan Simpson retired, there was a wide-open Republican field.”
Even more names were mentioned in the Casper Star Tribune this morning:
Meanwhile, the list of names of potential candidates for the seat is growing.
King mentioned state Rep. Colin Simpson of Cody, former House Speakers Randall Luthi of Freedom and Fred Parady of Rock Springs, Secretary of State Max Maxfield and former State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis.
“If the Republican choice is to pick a list of people who would be substantial candidates in 2008, the prior office holders all come to mind, the legislative leadership comes to mind,?¿? King said.
It’s harder, he added, to identify Republicans who would not be candidates in 2008.
Luthi, who now is deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Tuesday he is interested In the appointment.
“Right now I would say yes, I’d be honored to be considered,?¿? Luthi said from his office in Washington, D.C.
Luthi, a lawyer, has considerable other experience in the nation’s capital.
So does Tom Sansonetti, a Cheyenne lawyer and Republican Party activist, who said he also is considering becoming a candidate.
Parady, who is the new state GOP chairman, said Tuesday he is not a candidate.
Simpson and Maxfield said it is too early to discuss whether they are interested.
Wyoming U.S. Attorney Matt Mead said he would not make any decision until after Thomas’ funeral.
Other potential candidates, including state Sens. John Barrasso of Casper and Eli Bebout of Riverton, 2006 gubernatorial candidate Ray Hunkins, and Lummis, could not be reached Tuesday afternoon.
And as if that doesn’t make the list long enough, The Hill adds a few more:
Other names mentioned include state Sen. John Barrasso and several former Cubin primary opponents — state Sen. Cale Case, attorney Bruce Asay and retired Navy Capt. Bill Winney.
That’s a grand total of 14 (count ‘em) possibilities — and I am sure that even more people are interested or in consideration.
Obviously, this will be a rushed and highly-emotional process. The 71 members of the WYGOP Central Committee will have to choose three of those names to present to the Governor by June 20 (if my math is right). Further complicating matters, there is talk that Gov. Freudenthal may be considering running for Senate in 2008.
Never fear, I have a fool-proof strategy for the WYGOP that will inevitably result in a solidly conservative replacement for Senator Thomas. How, you ask, is this possible given that the ultimate decision rests with our Democratic Governor Freudenthal who clearly has a vested interest in choosing a weak candidate for 2008? Oh, it’s really quite simple.
The WYGOP needs to submit three candidates who are popular within the party and the state and are also undoubtedly conservative on each and every issue relevant to Wyoming and US policy. Then, no matter what, the Governor would be forced to pick someone in the mold of Sen. Thomas. (Bold and Italic for super emphasis.)
My suggestions are: State Senator John Barrasso, State Senator Eli Bebout, and Secretary of State Max Maxfield. If that was the list submitted by the state Republicans, Wyoming would get a great Senator regardless of the governor’s choice.
I am very familiar with all three names - my parents have met Barrasso, Bebout is from the closest town to Lander, and I have met and campaigned for Maxfield. I know that these are men of integrity who would be great Senators for Wyoming. Other than them, I am actually quite unfamiliar with the other possibilities. If any of you other Wyomingites are knowledgeable about the other candidates, please comment or post and trackback!
Honestly, I’m more than a little nervous about this whole process. It worries me when pro-choice names like Parady (who has thankfully ruled himself out), Case (a Lander-local who I can’t see having a prayer anyway), and Simpson (who is a strong contender) come up. I just get sick to my stomach thinking that a Senator from Wyoming - arguably of the top three most conservative states ever - would be in favor of allowing the senseless murder of innocent unborn children.
However, with names like Barrasso, Bebout, Maxfield, and others in the race, I know that we have a good chance of maintaining the pro-life, pro-family, pro-Wyoming legacy of the late Senator Thomas.
Apologies for the length of this post. There are just so many random articles floating around that I felt the need to present something slightly more organized in one location.
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tieki rae:
You mentioned that the current Governor (D) may run in 2008. If so that probably insures that he will pick out of the slate of 5 the candidate he feels would be the easiest for him to beat. Maybe a pro choicer so that the Republican base would lose interest in him during the 2008 election. In one sense it might be a good thing it is a Presidential election year to get them (the R’s) out to vote if they have a ho hum appointee running for re-election.
We are going to have to depend on you and your mom to get us through this process. …………… Next Stop lauderdale
Steve,
Yeah, I have no doubt that if given the option, Freudenthal would choose the weakest candidate possible. That’s why the WYGOP must leave him no choice but to choose a strong, popular conservative. It doesn’t seem like rocket science to me, but I am so scared that the party won’t actually go through with presenting such a list! And you make a good point about the presidential election. That’s sure to bring out the Republican support (hello Bush winning 69% of Wyoming!).
I could move now, if you promise to nominate me.
Hey Tiek,
In a way, I’m glad it is a 15 day process for the Republicans and then only 5 more for Freudenthal. Any longer, and the stress would just be overwhelming.
I think it is very clear that Freudenthal is a calculated ploy by the Democrats to eventually have a US Senator from the state of WY that’s a Rat. Also, I read on many non-Wyoming blogs and news sources that Freudenthal is a DINO, and therefore no threat to the Republicans. Don’t believe this for an instant! He is a Clinton cronie (not sure how to spell that) and does NOT represent conservative values at all. WY is a state growing with liberal transplants, and that’s what is giving the Rats such a foothold. If anything, it should inspire the Republicans not to become lazy or complacent.
Short story (could be considered a rumor, but I heard it directly from one of the people who was there and I know it’s true):
Wyoming’s major state offices are all held by Republicans, therefore Freudenthal is pretty much alone politically at the state level. Well, right after Freudenthal was elected governor (in a very close race winning only by a few hundred votes in 2002), one of the Republicans at the state level held a dinner, inviting the governor and the other 4 Republicans in a show of bi-partisonship effort. During what was none other than polite conversation, Freudenthal told the Republicans that they had better not even consider trying to cross him, or he would have their f-ing heads on a platter. Needless to say, it was an awkward moment. Now, does that sound like someone in tight with the Clintoons or what?
I said all that just to remind Republicans that Freudenthal is no DINO. He is DemonRat to the core with much higher aspirations than Governor of the great state of Wyoming.
Interesting speculation about the Gov seeking a senatorial bid in ‘08, and of course it would be only natural to run in the race where he picked his opponent. Of course, the plan would be dashed if the appointed weak Republican decided not to hold the office past ‘08 anyway, in which case, there would be a primary election as open as the replacement process is.
Reminds me of when former Gov. Geringer (R) was term-limited; there was a huge list of candidates to filter through (half dozen or so, including Bebout and Hunkins) on the August ballot!
If I remember right, Asay was a pretty good conservative in his bid against Rep. Cubin in the Republican primary of ‘04 (?). Winney was Rep. Cubin’s latest Republican opponent, but was more of a liberaltarian bent when it came to the social issues.
I second your thoughts on Case and Simpson being constantly named as possibilities.
Hey Scott,
You spelled Haemet Yeshachrer Otcha wrong. Gosh, you’d think you could spell in Hebrew or something
PS. This is why I always refer to this site at Tieki Rae
I read somewhere (Drudge, maybe?) that Lynn Cheney was being considered. Is that a good idea from a Wyomingite point of view?
And I don’t like to brag, but I can write in Hebrew with the best of them!
Oy vey. Shalom!
TT - as conservative as you are, I think I’d probably nominate myself before you!
Haha, no offense meant, I promise. Actually, Wyoming politics intimidate me because I know so little about Wyoming - only having lived here for five years. I’m planning on learning more, though, because Wyoming is such an amazing state.
Mom - Freudenthal absolutely is a DemonRat. I can understand how people in New York or California might consider him a more conservative Democrat, but the fact is that he is still a Democrat either way. And he’s not even that great for Wyoming! The wolf problem is probably the most obvious example, but I know there are others. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he has higher aspirations. I only hope that Wyoming voters value their congressional representation higher than their governor’s office. Either way, I’m sure you and I and many others will be out campaigning against him if he does decide to run in ‘08 or any other year!
Scott - It is insane how many names are cropping up all over. I can’t imagine how this process would be in a more populated state! I think I remember Asay and thinking he wasn’t that bad of a guy - just not cool enough to beat Rep. Cubin.
I’ll have to sit down sometime and just research all of these guys (and gals). I am absolutely determined to do everything I can - even if it means calling up every last committee-person - to prevent a pro-choice politician from going to Washington on Wyoming’s behalf. And thanks again for posting the funeral arrangements at your blog. Hopefully anyone who comes to this post will hop over there for more information. And finally, I won’t hold your lack of Hebrew skills against you. 
It happens to the best of us.
Kevin - As far as I know, all the Lynne Cheney talk has been coming from outside of Wyoming. I’m sure she’s a nice enough lady, but I don’t really think she should be our next Senator, no matter how temporary. And great Hebrew, Kevin.
Tov meod!
Tieki’s Mom: I usually refer to HYO along the line’s of “See what Tieki Rae says about such and such on her blog,” but I figured I’d be different since I always say “Sunflower Desert has a good post about such and such”
Tieki and Mrs. C: I have a good excuse in that I didn’t take Hebrew in college, reason being that it was all Greek to me
I probably would have been more apt to seeing the error if my sinuses were not being stubbornly plugged. Thanks for the forgiveness.
Tieki: Remember Kah-lee-for-nee-uh’s Guber recall election back in ‘03?
I share your desire in seeing a Craig Thomas Republican filling out the congressional session ending in ‘08 and that one going on to fill out the term. I’m confidant that our breed of conservatism isn’t dead yet, and in spite of what the party chairman said, there are probably many in the WYGOP who are researching what folks like us are saying.
BTW, you reminded me of a post I need to get on my blog here sooner or later. The predator-status boundary in Cody is literally just west of where I live (on the plus side, I can pop a wolf no questions asked when it’s in my back yard
)
Kevin: EverythingCody.com had a link posted that Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Cheney were being talked about as possibilities. I was shocked at the news and followed the link to discover that it went to Politico. From the sounds of the article, the idea has sprung from outside the state lines.
As far as the VP’s wife filling out the session/term from a Wyomingite’s viewpoint, I’d be prone to second the idea that WYGOP could do better, although it would be fun to hear the feminist libs scream when she addressed her own husband in the Senate chamber according to protocol.
What a great post TR! In fact, if you had a digg button I would digg it for sure. You are right the GOP needs to nominate only stellar CONSERVATIVE candidates! no other choices. And not talking about it? How lame is that? Of course it needs to be discussed. What does it have to do with his legacy?
Shalom Tieki!..u sure have done your research on this one!..Email if u like…I would proud to add ya to my blogroll!
Have a terrific weekend my friend!
I am leaning towards Tom Sansonnetti being the outright favorite of the Central Committee. If Matt Meade is nominated, he will get the nod from the Governor.
Simpson, Sansonnetti, Meade, and Barrasso have the edge for nomination.
Does anyone know about the political philosopy of Meade.
Jackson Hole enviro, or common sense conservationist?
Bruce Asay is a strong, reputable, conservative candidate and a retired General in the Air National Guard. He is pro-life, pro-family and has integrity. He isn’t a career politician, which helps too! Unfortunately, sometimes power and money win out over honesty and experience.