CNN is reporting that Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas has died. He was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after the 2006 election. He was 74.
First of all, my deepest sympathies go out to the Senator's family. Despite being a Republican, he was a human being, and that's the most important thing to keep in mind right now.
If my memory is correct, Wyoming's Democratic governor is obligated by state law to appoint another Republican to the position. I'm not a Wyoming political expert, so it's hard to say who is likely to get consideration.
Update: Full story now online at CNN.
Thomas first came to Congress in 1989, when he won the Equality State's lone House seat in a special election after now-Vice President Dick Cheney resigned to become defense secretary. In 1994, he won an open Senate seat and easily won re-election in 2000 and 2006.