Sen.Craig Thomas (R-WY) Dead of Leukemia at 74

Rest in peace.

He was a cowboy and a Marine. Not a bad combination at all:

Craig Thomas was raised on a ranch near Cody, but has made his home in Casper for more than 20 years. He attended public schools and graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie with a degree in Agriculture. After college, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps. He has served as vice president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau, and general manager of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association. Before his election to the U.S. House, he held office for five years in the Wyoming State Legislature. Craig is married to Susan Thomas, a public school teacher for special needs students. He has four grown children.

Mitch McConnell:

"Wyoming had no greater advocate, taxpayers had no greater watchdog,and rural America had no greater defender than Craig Thomas," SenateRepublican Leader Mitch McConnellsaid Monday night. "The Senate is a lesser place without Craig here,but the state of Wyoming and our nation are much better places becausehe was here."

What's next?

Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, will appoint a successor from one of three finalists chosen by the state Republican party.

He was diagnosed shortly after his '06 reelection. He went through one round of chemo and went back to work in the Senate in December. He went back in for more chemo in May, and passed away in Bethesda, Md. today.

Pray for his family.