June 06, 2007
Wyoming's Hectic 2008
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) has a delicate task on his hands in appointing a Republican to succeed deceased Sen. Craig Thomas.
Why? Because he himself has been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for the November 2008 special election to replace Thomas and finish the four years that will remain of his term. Which means Freudenthal could be appointing his eventual general election opponent -- should he choose to run, of course. (Not to mention the emotional pall that will be cast over the whole process given the circumstances that necessitated it.)
Freudenthal, 56, is limited to two terms, and his second one began earlier this year, so may be tempted to enter his own political future into the equation. If he chooses not to run next year, he would have to wait until he was out of office in 2010.
State statutes dictate that the governor doesn't get to directly appoint a successor of his choice as in other states, but that the state party of the deceased senator must present three options for the governor to choose from. Three possible GOP names circulating so far, according to the Jackson Hole News & Guide, are: state Rep. Colin Simpson, son of former Sen. Alan Simpson, state Sen. John Barrasso and U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Matt Mead.
One of Wyoming's major newspapers, the Casper Star-Tribune, reported this morning that next year will be unusually big for politics in the state. Now-senior Sen. Michael Enzi (R) has given no indication that he will choose to skip seeking a third term next year, and at-large Rep. Barbara Cubin (R) barely survived a surprising challenge in 2006, prompting questions about her re-election prospects.
Of course, a state electing two senators at one time is exceedingly rare and only circumstantial. (Consider the 1978 Minnesota elections as a loosely similar case.) The seat left vacant by Thomas will return to its normal cycle and be up for grabs again in 2012, and Enzi's seat will be on the ballot again in 2014.
Wyoming Elections Director Peggy Nighswonger said via phone this morning that she doesn't foresee any problems arising as a consequence of the two races, except that they may cause a bit of confusion over which seat potential candidates choose to file for.
