Dave Freudenthal
David Duane "Dave" Freudenthal (born October 12, 1950) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Wyoming. A Democrat, Freudenthal is currently the governor of Wyoming, having been re-elected to a second term on 7 November 2006.
Biography
Freudenthal was born in Thermopolis, the seat of Hot Springs County in north central Wyoming, the seventh of eight children, and grew up on a farm north of town. He graduated from Amherst College in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in economics. After graduating he joined the Department of Economic Planning and Development as an economist and later became the state planning director for Governor Edgar Herschler.
Freudenthal entered the University of Wyoming College of Law, receiving his law degree in 1980, and went into private practice. In 1994, he was appointed U.S. Attorney upon the recommendation of then-Governor Mike Sullivan. Freudenthal left the post of U.S. Attorney in May 2001.
Freudenthal ran for governor of Wyoming on a platform of "aiding existing businesses, encouraging workforce development within the education system and fully collecting minerals taxes," (citation confusing)[1] and defeated the favored candidate, Republican nominee Eli Bebout, an oil and natural gas businessman from Riverton in central Wyoming, 50-48 percent in the November 7, 2002 election.[2] The other 2 percent went to the Libertarian Party nominee. Freudenthal took office in January 2003.
During Freudenthal's term, Wyoming has enjoyed a prosperous economy. The petroleum, natural gas, and mineral boom in Wyoming have given the state a budget surplus, projected at $1.8 billion in 2006.[3] Freudenthal has proposed that the state save $1.2 billion over the next two years.[4] Freudenthal, who enjoys one of the highest approval ratings of any governor at around 68 percent, was endorsed by the National Rifle Association and reelected over the Republican Ray Hunkins in the 2006 Wyoming gubernatorial election,[5] carrying every county in the state, most by landslide margins. As Governor, he is a member of the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association. Dave Freudenthal is also the Chairman of the Western Governors Association. He also has come up in national political limelight, due to the late Senator Craig L. Thomas's death. He was designated to appoint a new U.S. Senator and chose John Barrasso. Freudenthal was rumoured to be a possible candidate in the 2008 special election to complete Thomas's term, but he declined to run.
Freudenthal is married to Nancy D. Freudenthal, a native of Cody, who works as a private attorney in Cheyenne. They have four children: Donald, Hillary, Bret, and Katie.
He endorsed Senator Barack Obama of Illinois for President on April 2, 2008, having cited Obama's style of leadership and openness to discussion.
Electoral history
2006 Wyoming Gubernatorial Election
| Dave Freudenthal (D) (inc.) 70% |
| Ray Hunkins (R) 30% |
2002 Wyoming Gubernatorial Election
| Dave Freudenthal (D) 50% |
| Eli Bebout (R) 48% |
Notes
External links
- Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal official state site
- National Governors Association - Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal biography
- Follow the Money - Dave Freudenthal 2006 campaign contributions
- On the Issues - Dave Freudenthal issue positions and quotes
- Project Vote Smart - Governor Dave Freudenthal (WY) profile
- Dave for Governor official campaign site
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jim Geringer |
Governor of Wyoming January 6, 2003–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by John Vinich |
Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Wyoming 2002, 2006 |
Succeeded by Most recent |
| Order of precedence in the United States of America | ||
| Preceded by Dick Cheney Vice President of the United States Lynne Cheney Second Lady of the United States (if present) |
United States order of precedence While in Wyoming |
Succeeded by Mayors of Wyoming cities if present next fixed Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the United States House of Representatives |
| Preceded by Butch Otter Governor of Idaho |
United States order of precedence While outside Wyoming |
Succeeded by Jon Huntsman, Jr. Governor of Utah |
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