BRUCE S. ASAY

* Age: 57

* Hometown: Cheyenne

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: Unsuccessful U.S. House candidate in 2004

* Quote: "I believe that it is important for whoever is appointed to this post to further the values and policies forged by Senator Thomas, however, it is equally as important that the candidate selected will bring new ideas and vigor to the office as Wyoming continues to emerge as a key component in serving the national interests."

JOHN BARRASSO

* Age: 54

* Hometown: Casper

* Employment: Surgeon

* Political experience: State senator, former Wyoming Republican national committeeman, former Wyoming Republican Party treasurer.

* Quote: "I have spent my adult life working to make Wyoming a better place - not just through my work as a state legislator, but as a doctor and activist who believes strongly in giving back to the community. I have the qualities we need and a passion to serve in the United States Senate. The bottom line is that I am ready, willing and able to do a great job for Wyoming."

CALE CASE

* Age: 49

* Hometown: Lander

* Employment: Consultant

* Political experience: Legislature, 1993-present

* Quote: "I am a fiscal and constitutional conservative and a social moderate who stands for the principle that government should remain limited in its scope and in its intervention in people's lives."

DOUG CHAMBERLAIN

* Age: 64

* Hometown: LaGrange

* Employment: Real estate broker

* Political experience: State representative, 1976-94

* Quote: "If selected, I will continue Craig's work on the various issues that were his priorities, represent the interests of the people of Wyoming to the best of my ability, and engage in the national dialogue to determine the policies that determine the future of Wyoming and America."

BEN HENRY COLLINS JR.

* Age: 52

* Hometown: Casper

* Employment: Minister

* Political experience: None

* Quote: "In 1999 I sensed the call to come to the western United States for ministry and mulled and prayed about it until that call began to come to fruition last year in March. Without a lot of detail (which I would be happy to share) my wife agreed that we were being called here. We sold the two homes we owned in Tennessee and came here last fall. We have been assured we have made the right choice."

DAVE EDWARDS

* Age: 68

* Hometown: Douglas

* Employment: Retired

* Political experience: State representative, 2000-present

* Quote: In his application, Edwards said he would "continue the work in progress of the late Senator Craig Thomas" and "listen to and be pro-active for the citizens of Wyoming."

DENNIS FOX

* Age: 51

* Hometown: Wolf

* Employment: Retired

* Political experience: None

* Quote: "I realize there are others more qualified and deserving, but they may not be able to just drop everything and go to D.C. Being retired, I'm ready, willing and able to step in immediately."

LARRY FRENCH

* Age: 57

* Hometown: Powell

* Employment: Insurance

* Political experience: GOP precinct committee member in Park County, two-time delegate to GOP state convention.

* Quote: "I have always thought it would be interesting and very important to bring a true conservative and Western perspective to the U.S. Senate. I have a heart for Wyoming business and agriculture and will be an effective voice in the Senate for Wyoming issues."

BRIAN GAMROTH

* Age: 42

* Hometown: Casper

* Employment: Radio announcer

* Political experience: None

* Quote: "I think one of the first (priorities) is continuing the work on the energy policy that Senator Thomas has begun. There is a lot more to do, including research of additional fuel resources, i.e. coal liquids, coal gasification, wind and solar, as well as nuclear power, …."

JAN CHARLES GRAY

* Age: 59

* Hometown: Casper

* Employment: Attorney, resort owner, owner of 11 radio stations

* Political experience: None

* Quote: "I have had a lifelong desire to serve, but have never had the opportunity of public service other than through radio. If appointed, I would do my best to serve the needs of the people of Wyoming - which I have been monitoring through my radio stations for many years." Gray said he would not run for re-election in 2008.

JOHN HOLTZ

* Age: 57

* Hometown: Laramie

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: None

* Quote: "I have been on all sides of the courtroom as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judge and having been an experienced world class negotiator, I believe I could make a significant contribution to Wyoming. I am known as a consensus builder and a person who can get things done."

RAY HUNKINS

* Age: 68

* Hometown: Wheatland

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: Republican nominee for governor in 2006

* Quote: In his application, Hunkins says he wishes "to represent the people of Wyoming honorably, with fidelity to Wyoming conservative values, until the Republican voters of Wyoming can nominate a candidate and the people of Wyoming can elect a United States senator." Hunkins said, if chosen, he will not run for re-election in 2008.

PAUL KRUSE

* Age: 55

* Hometown: Cheyenne

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: Niobrara County Republican Party chairman and member of the State Republican Central Committee.

* Quote: "With its blessing of natural resources, Wyoming can lead this nation for decades to come if it provides the appropriate balance among production, extraction, harvesting, grazing tourism, recreation and other activities. Federal laws and policies will continue to have a significant role in determining what we can and cannot do."

NORA MARIE LEWIS

* Age: 73

* Hometown: Basin

* Employment: Newspaper columnist

* Political experience: Unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate in 1988 and 1990

* Quote: "I am unique because I have already run for the U.S. Senate twice on my own funds. What other applicants have done this?"

CYNTHIA LUMMIS

* Age: 52

* Hometown: Cheyenne

* Employment: Attorney, rancher

* Political experience: State treasurer, two terms; Legislature, 16 years

* Quote: "Each day, Wyoming serves this nation in many critical ways. I want to serve in the United States Senate to protect what is great and unique about Wyoming as a place to live, work, recreate, conserve and cherish."

RANDALL LUTHI

* Age: 52

* Hometown: Freedom

* Employment: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

* Political experience: Bush administration appointee as deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 12 years in the Wyoming House, including a term as speaker

* Quote: "I would like to continue the legacy of Senator Thomas by making the federal government more responsive to individual rights, state rights and multiple use of public lands."

MATTHEW MEAD

* Age: 45

* Hometown: Cheyenne

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming, 2001-2007; part-time special assistant attorney general for Wyoming, 1997-2001

* Quote: "My interest in running for office arose within the past couple of years as I traveled around Wyoming helping to build cooperation between law enforcement agencies. As I saw the positive effects on the lives of Wyoming people from working closely with community leaders, I became excited about doing the same kind of work on a larger scale to make a positive difference in Wyoming and in our country."

RON MICHELI

* Age: 59

* Hometown: Fort Bridger

* Employment: Rancher

* Political experience: State legislator 1976-1992; director of state Agriculture Department 1995-2003

* Quote: "The foundation of our nation is not based on government, but on the family. I will work to support traditional family values and implement policies to protect and support the American family."

FRANK MOORE

* Age: 54

* Hometown: Douglas

* Employment: Rancher

* Political experience: State representative, 1993-96

* Quote: "Wyoming's representatives have always managed to rise above the gridlock. They have demonstrated a remarkable ability to 'get the job done.' I would like the opportunity to use my skills, experience and values to continue that tradition."

BILL PADDLEFORD

* Age: 54

* Hometown: Jackson

* Employment: Business owner

* Political experience: Teton County commissioner, nine years

* Quote: "If selected, I fully intend to mount an aggressive campaign to keep this senate seat in Republican hands."

THOM RANKIN

* Age: 58

* Hometown: Casper

* Employment: Health care administration

* Political experience: Libertarian candidate for U.S. House in 2006

* Quote: "My goal is to see Senator Thomas's hard work through to fruition, working hard to keep Wyoming's federal and state public lands safe for generations to come."

TOM SANSONETTI

* Age: 58

* Hometown: Cheyenne

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: Chief of staff, Sen. Craig Thomas, 1989-90

* Quote: "As Craig Thomas' former chief of staff and legislative director, and as a member of his several campaign advisory committees, I viewed firsthand Craig's conservative political philosophy and as applied to federal legislation in general and Wyoming issues in particular. I share his conservative viewpoints and as interim senator would vote accordingly."

JACK R. SAPP

* Age: 56

* Hometown: Cheyenne

* Employment: general manager Sapp Bros Truckstops

* Political experience: none

* Quote: "I believe we must defend Wyoming's mountains, rivers and wildlife from a forever-hungry energy industry. As a member of that industry myself, I am the first to stand and promote a local economy that recognizes the incredible importance of coal and oil while calling for alternative energy development and economic diversification."

JOE SCHLOSS

* Age: 56

* Hometown: Jackson

* Employment: U.S. Army sergeant major, retired

* Political experience: Teton County Republican Party chairman

* Quote: "I believe that the conservation of our forests, lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources are essential to the well being and future of the state of Wyoming. However, a delicate balance must be struck between the needs and livelihood of our residents and the need to protect our natural environment."

COLIN SIMPSON

* Age: 48

* Hometown: Cody

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: State representative, eight years

* Quote: "Wyoming's leaders must be progressive and visionary to preserve the Wyoming and America we cherish and love. We must manage change on our terms and we must be smart enough to recognize opportunities as well as threats and act and adapt with new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times."

RANDALL STEVENSON

* Age: 53

* Hometown: Wheatland

* Employment: Rancher

* Political experience: Platte County Republican Party chairman

* Quote: "The utmost priority is to protect our national sovereignty and security. We face the erosion of these precious possessions not only through military and terroristic aggression, but also through ill-advised treaties and trade agreements that do not put our national interest first."

CLARK D. STITH

* Age: 46

* Hometown: Rock Springs

* Employment: Attorney

* Political experience: State party delegate, chairman Sweetwater County Republican Party

* Quote: "In short, I am in this race because I believe the Republican Party must be inclusive. A big tent Republican Party will be anchored on the shared values of limited government, states' rights, individual liberty, self-reliance and personal responsibility."

NATE STRATTON

* Age: 48

* Hometown: Casper

* Employment: Not reported.

* Political experience: None reported

* Quote: In his application, Stratton said he wanted to serve in the Senate "to break the status quo."

JEANNA WRIGHT

* Age: 56

* Hometown: Sheridan

* Employment: Insurance agency co-owner and office manager

* Political experience: None

* Quote: In her application, Wright said she wanted "to represent citizens of Wyoming fairly - people first and special interest last."

CHARLES C. YOUNG

* Age: 55

* Hometown: Rawlins

* Employment: Physician

* Political experience: None

* Quote: In his application, Young said he was interested in "representing citizens of Wyoming on a national level, continuing traditions and priorities of Senator Thomas (and the) opportunity to improve health care with inside perspective." Young said he would not run for re-election in 2008.