Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 8

i A8 Caspfi St.ir Tribune CRAIG THOMAS: 1933-2007 June 6, 00 Craig Thomas' political career VOTERS: Interest already growing for '08 60 cn 'M 1 1978 In his first bid for statewide office, Thomas is defeated in the Republican primary for state treasurer by Shirley Wittier, the eventual winner. 1 1984 Natrona County voters elect Thomas to the state House, one of nine representatives from Natrona County. Jm litical blog noted that in years past there was "idle speculation" about the interest of Vice President Dick Cheney's wife, Lynne, in running for office, The blogncrs predicted the name of Cheney would come up during the GOP selection process. The Republican central committee has 15 days after notification of the vacancy to select the three names to b( forwarded to Freudenthal. Th governor started the 15-da; clock running Tuesday by is suing a formal notice of thi vacancy to Parady.

Parady said Tuesday he wil hold a press conference aftei Thomas' funeral to announce how the selection process wil work for the 71 members the state central committee He said it will be similar tc the open process that took place in 2005, when McBridc and two other candidates foi the state school superintendent job were selected. Thomas is the fourth U.S. senator from Wyoming to die in office. The others were Francis E. Warren in 1929, John B.

Kendrick in 1933 and Lester Hunt in 1954, according to historian Phil Roberts of UW. In addition, Keith Thomson was elected to the Senate in 1960 but died before he took office. Capital bureau reporter Joan Barron can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at joan.barron casperstartribune.net. 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 Bar-rasso of Casper and Eli Be-bout of Riverton, 2006 gubernatorial candidate Ray Hunkins, and Lummis, could not be reached Tuesday afternoon. MSNBC's "First Read" po Craig Thomas speaks during his unsuccessful campaign for state treasurer in 1982. 1982 Thomas runs again for state treasurer but loses in the primary to eventual winner Stan Smith. Then-state Rep. Craig Thomas listens to debate on the floor of the Wyoming House in 1986.

1986 Thomas is re-elected to the nine-member Natrona County delegation to the state House, which also includes Barbara Cubin. ml Mi Thomas a 'portrait of the West' Then Rep. Craig Thomas, right speaks with Rep. Mel ZumBrunnen about community college financing during the 1988 legislative session. 1988 Thomas wins election to a third term in the state House.

Susan and Craig Thomas appear at a campaign press conference in Casper with Sen. Bob Dole in 1989. It was Thomas' first congressional campaign, which he won. 1989 Thomas wins a special election against Democrat John Vinich for the U.S. House seat vacated by Dick Cheney, who became U.S.

secretary of defense. His passing represents a profound loss to the Senate, to Wyoming, and to America. DICK CHENEY Vice President IT "Hit J4 ''I I I 1 1 -It i Continued from A1 3uandary because they can't ictate who that choice will be," said James King, political science professor at the University of Wyoming. "If they put up the names of three prominent Republicans who would be interested in seeking re-election, in essence they're giving the governor the option of choosing who the Democrats' opponent is going to be," King said Tuesday. On the other hand, the Republicans, aware there will be significant interest in the scat in the 2008 election, may decide to submit the names of three Republicans who will not be candidates for the seat in 2008.

This happened when Al Gore became vice president in 1993: The governor of Tennessee appointed as his successor to the U.S. Senate a replacement who would not seek election to the seat. If the Republicans also take that course, the entire Republican field will be open in the 2008 Republican primary for the Senate seat. 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 WASHINGTON: Continued from A1 A picture emerged of a gentle spirit who never complained despite his recent illness, an upbeat man with a warm word for everyone, a quiet but tough fighter who stood his ground on issues that mattered most to his state. "For me, I'll always remember Craig's spirit, for his spirit in life was a great illustration of the spirit of Wyoming," said Sea Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. "His life became a living portrait of the American West. He saw a world from the saddle of his horse and from under the brim of his cowboy hat.

He was proud of Wyoming, and Wyoming was Eroud to be represented by im." -Senators of both parties spoke of his legacy, his accomplishments, legislation he passed. A protector of the national parks, a promoter of energy and clean coal, an expert on agriculture and rural needs, a fiscal conservative, his persistence paid off in many areas, they said. Vice President Dick Cheney, who held Wyoming's only House seat before Thomas replaced him in 1989, called Thomas a friend and said, "He never let us down." "Even in a time of serious illness, Craig was faithful to his duties in the United States Senate," Cheney said. "His passing represents a profound loss to the Senate, to Wyoming, and to America." Majority Leader Harry Reid, called Thomas one of the leading experts in Congress on agriculture and rural issues. He told stories of Thomas' relentless pursuit of specific is sues.

"He asked us once, he asked us 50 times, and we eventually got it cleared," he said. Sen. Richard Durbin, said Thomas was always a gentleman, even during the most heated debates. "In a time and place we often raise our voices in emotion and anger, Craig Thomas was always soft-spoken, but he was always heard," Durbin said. "He was a man of high integrity, honorable and humble." "I cannot imagine anyone ever saying they did not like Craig Thomas," said Sen.

Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. Thomas had perfect pitch with the folks back home, said former Sen. Alan Simpson, who served with Thomas for two years. "Especially parks, recreation, coal, energy, gasification, all of those things, agriculture, drought aid, he was totally in tune," Simpson said in a telephone interview. "He would go to those town meetings, and he was just like a tuning fork." Simpson noted Thomas' sterling reputation with both Republicans and Democrats and that he worked with both energy and conservation groups.

"I saw him receive awards from groups who would've tried to blow up my house," Simpson said. "He did things for the parks. He could weave down through the anguish and the flash fire of the (Endangered Species Act) and coal-bed methane and mining, and he could work with other people and work his way." at a a en cn cn CO on CO cn 3 cn in co cn 10 oo cn oo cn 8 cn oo cn cn cn cn cn in cn cn cn cn cn in cn cn (A cn cn cn cn oo cn cn cn cn cn IN IN IN IN fM fN Craig Thomas delivers his victory speech after the 1989 special election to replace Dick Cheney in the U.S. House. I Craig Thomas receives congratulations from state GOP Chairman Mark Hughes on election night 1990.

1990 Thomas wins re-election to the House by defeating Democrat Pete Maxfield. 1 1994 Thomas defeats former Democratic Gov. Mike Sullivan in the race to replace Malcolm Wallop in the U.S. Senate, 59 to 39 percent. Craig Tliomas shakes hands with his Democratic opponent, John Vinich, following a televised U.S.

House candidate debate in 1989. For Wyoming Enzi outlined Thomas' accomplishments for Wyoming. A decade ago, Thomas pushed an effort called Wyoming Vision 2020, Enzi saicf. "He challenged the people of Wyoming, he stretched the people's imagination on what our state ought to be like in the year 2020," Enzi said. "That was in 1998, but we're getting a lot closer to 2020, and I think the state is moving toward the vision he predicted at that time.

It was a goal he cherished and fought for, and many of the things have been achieved through efforts on the Senate floor." Thomas will "long be remembered as one of Wyoming's toughest and fiercest advocates," Enzi said. Knowing that much of the real work gets done in committee, Thomas sought those that could help Wyoming most, Enzi said. On the Finance Committee, Thomas was a "staunch fiscal conservative," Enzi said. "He used his position on the committee to lighten the tax burden and make our tax code more fair," he said. Thomas also served as vice chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee and sat on the Environment and Public Works panel.

He was the top Republican on its national parks subcommittee, "a tireless advocate for our park system," Enzi said. "Craig's been real active on all of the ag issues and international trade, particularly coun-try-of-origin labeling," Enzi added. "He supported our cattlemen with grazing rights and responsible environmental quality incentive programs for runoff issues. He's worked tirelessly to get changes in the Endangered Species Act." He also served on the Energy and Natural Resources and Ethics panels. Thomas was also the lead sponsor on a soda ash royalty relief bill.

He headed up a bill that allowed national parks to keep a higher percentage of fees the parks where they were collected. Thomas also inserted provision authorizing federal cost sharing for a coal gasification project above 4,000 feet elevation. "Hmmm, that would help get clean coal plant built in Wyoming, which would prove the technology with Wyoming coal at high altitude," Enzi said. Thomas also helped rewrite the electricity title of the Energy Policy Act and worked recently to include coal-to-liquid rovision in upcoming energy egislation. "Although he was unsuccessful thus far, he advanced the debate to the furthest point that it's moved," Enzi said.

Thomas helped secure radar upgrades for the Jackson airport and made sure Wyoming received highway funding in two transportation bills, Enzi noted. Respected colleague Sen. Ken Salazar, noted that Thomas did not favor selling off public lands and using the proceeds to reduce the deficit. "It was through his efforts we were able to turn back the efforts of those who wanted to see off the public lands of our nation," Salazar said. Thomas took a leadership role in fighting to ensure rural communities get enough funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes, which is money that goes to local governments instead of tax revenue for federal lands in their areas, Salazar said.

Thomas also worked to help veterans, especially those living in rural areas, he said. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, said Thomas was always considerate and showed concern for others' feelings. But he could also ask the tough questions lawmakers need to ask. "He was a straight shooter; he was straightforward," Bingaman said.

"You did not have to guess about what Craig Thomas thought about an issue." Sen. Judd Gregg, said he sat next to Thomas during most of the Republican weekly luncheons and enjoyed his sometimes irreverent comments directed toward their leadership. "Everyone respected him," Gregg said. "You may not agree with him, but you could not help but respect him. He was quiet but accomplished and understood the issues.

He was a man of inordinate common sense. He would look at an issue, he'd cut through all the puffery, all the theater and he'd get to the essence of the question." Some colleagues remembered the lighter contributions Thomas made to the Senate, such as taking occupancy of the Senate candy desk that is traditionally kept stocked with goodies to share. "He was proud of the Wyoming taffy candy he had introduced to the candy drawer," said Sen. Mel Martinez, D-Fla. "He was a Wyoming promoter 'til the very end." Numerous senators talked about Thomas's deep faith and his being one of the most consistent attendees of the Senate prayer breakfasts.

"He was a devout man," said Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. "You couldn't talk to Craig Thomas without realizing he had this tremendous faith in our maker and he was guided by that faith." Thomas also had the qualities everyone wants in a friend, Stevens said. "To deal with Craig Thomas was to deal with a gentleman but also a person who had absolute knowledge of what he was talking about." "I deeply, deeply feel his passing," Stevens said. mi i on iimiini mi hi I fl Sen.

Craig Thomas greets the state president of the Wyoming Federation of Republican Women, PatThorson Bush, at the state GOP headquarters in Casper after winning re-election in 2000. 2000 Thomas wins re-election to the Senate with 74 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Mel Logan and Libertarian Margaret Dawson. Rep. Craig Thomas chats in his congressional office in 1991. 1992 Thomas wins re-election to the House over Democrat Jon Herschler and Libertarian Craig McCune, taking 58 percent of the vote.

Sen. Craig Thomas receives a hug during a campaign appearance with Republican gubernatorial candidate Ray Hunkins in Cheyenne in October 2006. 1 2006 Thomas wins re-election to the Senate with 70 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Dale Groutage..