Senator Barrasso Wins Right to Finish Term
Nov 5th 2008Scott2nd Amendment & American History & Politics & Senate Confirmations & U.S. Military & War on Terrorism & Wyoming & Yellowstone East Gate & conservatism & elections & multiple use & patriotism & pro-life issues & socialized healthcare & taxes & traditional marriage & wolves & worthwhile reads
With a fair majority of the state’s voters’ supporting him, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) soundly defeated Democrat Nick Carter (D-WY), in the race to finish the term begun by the late Craig Thomas.
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) was reelected to his third term in Nov. 2006, shortly after becoming severely ill with leukemia. He was inaugurated the following January, and underwent a series of treatments. In May, reports were that Wyoming’s Senior Senator had never been better. In June, he unexpectedly passed away.
After the funeral and memorial services, the Wyoming Republican Party set out to find three nominees to send to the Governor to make an appointment.Over 30 people from across the state and all walks of life threw their hats in the ring. After a long process of questioning, the State Central Committee narrowed the field down to ten, asked more questions, narrowed the field down to five, asked more questions, and finalized their list.
Along with then State Senator John Barrasso, longtime WYGOP activist Tom Sansonetti, and former State legislator and Treasurer, and now current candidate for U.S. House, Cynthia Lummis were nominated. By the end of the week, June 22, Gov. Freudenthal had chosen John Barrasso to fill the vacant Senate Seat. The following Monday, June 25, he was sworn into the U.S. Senate by fellow Wyoming Republican Vice President Dick Cheney.
Senator Barrasso became popular very quickly with the state, as he returned home every weekend, and in less than three months, had held at least one town hall meeting in each of Wyoming’s 23 counties. He has served on the Senate Energy Committee, as well as the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Indian Affairs Committees. His votes have consistently been fiscally and socially conservative. He has not been afraid to stand up to the Administration when it comes to state’s rights on wildlife management, funding issues, or over-bureaucratic tendencies when it comes to winter use in the National Park System, particularly Yellowstone.
Because Senator Barrasso was appointed, his term of service was good only through this election cycle, per state law. His election by the voters of Wyoming allows him to complete the remaining four years of the term, and if he so chooses, he can run for reelction in 2012.
Shortly after Wyoming’s polls closed, Sen. Barrasso was projected to win. By the time all precincts reported in, he had garnered 74% of the vote.
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