John Barrasso

John Anthony Barrasso (born July 21, 1952) is a Republican senator from Wyoming. He was appointed by Governor Dave Freudenthal to succeed the late Craig L. Thomas. He took office on June 25, 2007.

Early life and family
In 1974, Barrasso graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a bachelor of science degree. He also received his M.D. degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1978. He conducted his residency at Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut.

Barrasso, currently single, has two children — Peter, a sophomore at Georgetown University, and Emma, an incoming freshman at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He is divorced from Linda Nix.

Political career
Barrasso previously ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for the Senate in 1996 for the seat vacated by the moderate Alan K. Simpson of Cody, who was pro-choice. In 1996, Barrasso lost the primary election to the pro-life advocate Mike Enzi, who now serves alongside Barrasso in the U.S. Senate. Enzi defeated Barrasso 33-32 percent in a 7-way primary.

Barrasso was elected to the Wyoming State Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. While in the Wyoming Senate, he was the chairman of the Transportation and Highways Committee. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Casper.

Barrasso was chosen on June 22, 2007, by Democratic Governor Freudenthal to replace the late Senator Craig L. Thomas. Freudenthal was, under Wyoming law, able to consider only three individuals whose names were submitted to him by the Republican State Central Committee because the seat was vacated by a Republican. The rejected choices were former state Treasurer Cynthia Lummis of Cheyenne and former Republican state chairman and lobbyist Tom Sansonetti, a former Thomas aide. Although Thomas' term would have ended in January, 2013, Barrasso's appointment is only until the November 2008 special election results are certified to fill the remainder of Thomas' term. Barrasso stated when he lobbied for the position in June 2007, that if appointed he would run for the rest of Thomas' term in office. Enzi will face voters for a third full term in the same election cycle.

2008 U.S. Senate Special Election
Tom Sansonetti, one of the three GOP nominees for Thomas' seat stated he will not challenge Barrasso for the seat in the 2008 primary, but the other nominee, Cynthia Lummis, stated that she may run. There are other potential candidates who also lobbied for appointment to Thomas' vacated seat in 2007 that are seen as potential contenders. These include former State House Speaker Randall Luthi and former United States Attorney Matt Mead. Democratic State Senator Mike Massie, 2006 U.S. House candidate Gary Trauner, and Paul Hickey, a 2002 gubernatorial primary candidate and the son of a former governor, have also stated an interest in the seat. Rumors are also afloat that Democratic Former Governor Mike Sullivan will also seek the seat in 2008, but Sullivan has yet to comment.

Medical career
In addition to his private practice, Barrasso is chief of staff of the Wyoming Medical Center, state president of the Wyoming Medical Society, president of the National Association of Physician Broadcasters, and a member of the American Medical Association Council of Ethics and Judicial Affairs.

Barrasso is also a rodeo physician for the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association (and a member of the "Cowboy Joe Club") and volunteers as a team physician for Casper College as well as several local high schools. He has been awarded the "Wyoming Physician of the Year." He has also been awarded the "Medal of Excellence" by the Wyoming National Guard for his services to the National Guard. Dr. Barrasso also received the "Legislative Service Award" from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for his support of Wyoming's veterans.

Other activities
He is also a member of the board of directors of Presidential Classroom, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings young people to Washington to learn about the government. Barrasso is a member of the Casper Chamber of Commerce and the Casper Rotary Club.

Barrasso is a perennial local host for the Jerry Lewis Telethon (with more than 20 years' service) and a frequent guest on Utah Public Television and the Casper ABC affiliate, KTWO, where he offers commentary on a wide range of medical topics. He is author of a regular newspaper column, "Keeping Wyoming Healthy" and is particularly known for his senior and elder care including, among other things, writing a series of monthly articles on senior fitness, care, and prevention entitled, "Caring for Wyoming's Seniors."

Engagement to Bobbi Brown
On August 11, 2007, during Cheyenne's annual Race for the Cure, Barrasso and Bobbi Brown, herself a breast cancer survivor and the state director for Barrasso's senate office, announced that they will marry. Once the two were engaged, Brown resigned her position in Barrasso's senate office. 

The two have known each other for twenty-five years and have been dating for five years. They had discussed marriage before, but Barrasso's recent appointment to the U.S. Senate underscored the need to tie the knot. While they have not yet set a firm date, Barrasso said they will probably will wed during the Thanksgiving holiday, when their children will be in Casper.

Brown has a 14-year old daughter from a previous marriage, while Barrasso has two children from his previous marriage to Linda Nix. 

Political Views
Barrasso is considered a conservative and is pro-life. He has received an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association.”

He has said “I believe in limited government, lower taxes, less spending, traditional family values, local control and a strong national defense,” and said he has “voted for prayer in schools, against gay marriage and have sponsored legislation to protect the sanctity of life.”