Wyoming GOP sets news conference on Thomas successor

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - Wyoming Republican Party Chairman Fred Parady has scheduled a press conference for Monday to detail how nominees will be picked to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Craig Thomas last Monday.

The 74-year-old Thomas, a Republican and Wyoming's senior senator, died June 4 during treatment for leukemia. Hundreds of people turned out for his funeral Saturday in Casper.

On Sunday, Thomas' casket was driven through the town where he was born, following the route of the annual July 4th parade that Thomas used to ride in.

Some well-wishers held up signs of support and Thomas' wife, Susan, waved on the way to a private burial. State Republicans have until June 20 to submit three nominees to replace Thomas to Democratic Governor Dave Freudenthal.

The governor will then have five days to choose one of the names. The 71-member Republican Central Committee is charged with selecting the three nominees.

The new senator will serve until the next general election, in 2008. A special election will be held next year to determine who will complete Thomas' term, which runs through 2012.