NFIB

Newly appointed U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, an NFIB member, state senator and surgeon from Casper, Wyo., was sworn in Monday, June 25. Barrasso was appointed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal to fill the vacancy created by the death of Sen. Craig Thomas. In accordance with state law, Barrasso was one of three nominees given to Freudenthal by the Wyoming Republican Party. Others considered for the post included former state Treasurer Cynthia Lummis and former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Tom Sansonetti.

As a small-business owner and surgeon, Barrasso has experience hitting the ground running, and on his first day in the Senate he already has an aggressive work schedule. One of Barrasso's first actions was to help defeat the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act," which would deprive employees of a private ballot election to become part of a union. And, given his background as a surgeon, Barrasso is expected to be a valuable resource for the Senate in debating health-care policy.

Prior to his appointment, Barrasso was serving his third term in the Wyoming State Senate, where he was a champion of small business. Barrasso, 54, has indicated that he will run in the special election in November 2008 to complete the remainder of Thomas' term.