Republican US Sen. Thomas dies at 74: Reports

Washington, June 5: Republican Sen. Craig Thomas of Wyoming, who had been battling leukemia for months, died yesterday at the National Naval Medical Center, US media reported.

Thomas, who was in his third, six-year Senate term, had been diagnosed with leukemia last year and had been undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

His family said in an statement earlier yesterday that he had been hospitalized in ''serious condition.'' ''At this difficult time, all we can do is give him as much love and support as possible,'' Susan Thomas, the 74-year-old senator's wife, said in a statement issued by his office.

Thomas's death would not alter the balance of power in the Democrat-led US Senate. Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal is a Democrat and would likely appoint a Democrat to replace Thomas.

Another US senator, Democrat Tim Johnson of South Dakota, has been recuperating since undergoing emergency brain surgery last December.

Reuters>