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
Sen. Craig Thomas Dies of Leukemia
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...   (Associated Press)

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. (More Craig Thomas stories.)

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