Dave Freudenthal

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Dave Freudenthal
Dave Freudenthal

Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 6, 2003
Lieutenant Max Maxfield
Preceded by Jim Geringer

Born October 12, 1950 (1950-10-12) (age 57)
Thermopolis, Wyoming
Political party Democratic
Spouse Nancy Freudenthal
Profession Attorney
Religion Episcopalian

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.

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[edit] 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 is rumoured to be a possible candidate in the 2008 Special Election to complete Thomas's term, although he has denied this claim.[citation needed]

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.

[edit] 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%

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Ibid.
  2. ^ "Wyoming" (Election Day coverage). Washington Post. 7 Nov. 2002.
  3. ^ "Nation in brief." Washington Post. 4 Dec. 2005.
  4. ^ Ibid.
  5. ^ Survey USA approval ratings. [1]

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Jim Geringer
Governor of Wyoming
2003 – present
Incumbent