Craig L. Thomas | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2005 | |
| United States Senator from Wyoming | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – June 4, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Wallop |
| Succeeded by | John Barrasso |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming's at-large district | |
| In office May 2, 1989 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Dick Cheney |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Cubin |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives for Natrona County | |
| In office January 8, 1985 – May 2, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Stewart |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Hinchey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Craig Lyle Thomas February 17, 1933 Cody, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 2007 (aged 74) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery Cody, Wyoming |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Leona M. Francis (divorced), and Susan Roberts Thomas |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Wyoming |
| Occupation | Rancher |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1955–1959 |
| Rank | Captain |
Craig Lyle Thomas (February 17, 1933 – June 4, 2007) was an American politician who served as United States Senator from Wyoming from 1995 until his death in 2007. He was a member of the Republican Party. In the Senate, Thomas was considered an expert on agriculture and rural development. He had served in key positions in several state agencies, including a long tenure as Vice President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau from 1965 to 1974. Thomas resided in Casper for twenty-eight years. In 1984, he was elected from Casper to the Wyoming House of Representatives, in which he served until 1989.
In 1989, Dick Cheney, who occupied Wyoming's only seat in the House of Representatives, resigned to become Secretary of Defense. Thomas became the Republican candidate to succeed Cheney and won the April 1989 special election. He was re-elected in 1990 and 1992, and in 1994 he ran for and won the Senate seat being vacated by fellow conservative Republican Malcolm Wallop of Sheridan in northeastern Wyoming. He was re-elected in 2000 and 2006, having easily beaten Democratic candidates in both elections with 70 percent of the vote.