Death of Sen. Thomas sets up big 2008

The Casper Star-Tribune reports this morning about how the death of U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas has set up a whopper of an election in 2008:

The death of U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas has set up 2008 as a big and unusual year for Wyoming politics.

All three congressional seats will be up for election.Two of those seats are occupied by Sen. Mike Enzi and Rep. Barbara Cubin, both Republicans. The two have not announced their political intentions, but observers at this point expect both to seek re-election next year.

Meanwhile, the Wyoming Republican Central Committee will pick three candidates to replace Thomas in the state's other Senate seat until the 2008 elections. Making the appointment from the list of three names will be Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal.