Here's an interesting side note on the appointment today of Republican John Barrasso to the Senate vacancy left by the death of Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY): It turns out that Barrasso — who was appointed partly because of his staunch conservative views — has a glaring pro-choice past.
More after the jump.
So how will the vacancy in the Senate created by the death of GOP Senator Craig Thomas be filled?
The election laws of Wyoming, available here, lay it out. Let us explain.
First, it should be noted that the laws are designed to keep an office in the same party as a deceased or resigned incumbent. Wyoming does have a Democratic Governor, popular two-termer Dave Freudenthal, and he does have the power to appoint a new Senator, but the office is nevertheless going to stay in GOP hands thanks to the peculiarities of Wyoming election law, which have a process in place designed to restrict who the Governor can appoint.
The law stipulates that the state GOP's central committee has 15 days to hold a special meeting, at which they are required to select three candidates for the position. Those names must then be submitted to the Governor.
Freudenthal will then have five days to pick one of those three people to serve as a Senator until the next general election, which of course is in 2008. Candidates from any party can run in that election, and the winner of it will then serve out the rest of Thomas' term, through the 2012 election.
The AP reports that GOP Sen. Craig Thomas, recently reelected, has been diagnosed with a form of leukemia. The 73-year old Thomas was hospitalized in the Washington area with pneumonia Tuesday night, when he was re-elected with 70-percent of the vote. We here at Election Central wish him a speedy recovery.
Update: Thomas's office released a statement, expressing optimism about his condition. Key quote:
It is expected that Thomas will be able to perform all duties of his office following treatment. Dr. Brian Monahan, Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the National Naval Medical Center, said “The majority of people with Craig’s great physical condition and general health attain remission.”
