Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Sen. Craig Thomas Dies of Leukemia

Conservative stayed aloof from Washington in-fighting

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 5, 2007 5:41 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Craig Thomas, GOP Senator from Wyoming, died yesterday of  leukemia at age 74. The popular conservative congressman began his Senate career in 1994; he was in the hospital when he was reelected by 70% of the vote last year, and announced his diagnosis shortly afterward.

The low-key Thomas, who focused on public lands issues, won his first seat in Congress in a special election in 1989 to replace Dick Cheney. His death will not change the delicate balance of power in the Senate;  by law, the Democratic governor of Wyoming is obliged to appoint a Republican to replace him.

Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo. gestures during a news conference in Oklahoma City, Okla. in this Jan. 18, 1996 file photo. Thomas, who has been battling leukemia, is listed in serious condition at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center. Thomas, a three-term conservative Republican who stayed clear of the Washington limelight and...
Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo. gestures during a news conference in Oklahoma City, Okla. in this Jan. 18, 1996 file photo. Thomas, who has been battling leukemia, is listed in serious condition at Bethesda...   (Associated Press)
In this undated photo downloaded from Sen. Craig Thomas' official Web site, Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., is shown. Thomas, a three-term conservative Republican who stayed clear of the Washington limelight and political catfights, died Monday June 4, 2007. He was 74. He had been receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia....
In this undated photo downloaded from Sen. Craig Thomas' official Web site, Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., is shown. Thomas, a three-term conservative Republican who stayed clear of the Washington limelight...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Sen. Craig Thomas

Obituary of Craig Thomas
Washington Post

US • Politics

 
Republican • Craig Thomas • obituary • death • Wyoming • leukemia

More Newser Stories

Jack Kevorkian Dead at 83

'Ivory Queen of Soul' Teena Marie Dead at 54

Lion King Star, 11, Dies of Cancer

LFO Frontman Rich Cronin Dead at 35

Times Columnist William Safire Dead at 79
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne