John Barrasso

John Barrasso is the senior United States Senator from Wyoming, serving since his appointment in 2007. A member of the Republican Party, he is a prominent conservative voice and has held several key leadership positions within the Senate Republican Conference. Prior to his political career, he was an orthopedic surgeon in Casper, Wyoming.

Early life and education

John Barrasso was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, to a family of Italian and Lebanese descent. He attended Gettysburg College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He subsequently earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.. During his time at Georgetown University, he served as a medical intern for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.

Medical career

After completing his medical education, Barrasso moved to Wyoming to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery. He established a successful private practice in Casper, Wyoming, becoming a well-known figure in the state's medical community. He served as president of the Wyoming Medical Society and was a member of the American Medical Association. His medical background later informed his political work on healthcare policy, and he frequently contributed medical commentary for K2TV in Casper, Wyoming.

U.S. Senate career

Barrasso began his political career in the Wyoming Senate, where he served from 2003 to 2007. Following the death of incumbent United States Senator Craig L. Thomas in June 2007, Governor of Wyoming Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, appointed Barrasso to the vacant seat. He won a special election in 2008 to complete the term and has been re-elected in 2012, 2018, and 2024. In the Senate, he has served on influential committees including the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Indian Affairs. He has held leadership roles such as Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Political positions

Barrasso is a staunch conservative with a strong record of supporting fossil fuel development, gun rights, and anti-abortion legislation. He is a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act and the Environmental Protection Agency, advocating for reduced federal regulation, particularly in the energy sector. He has been a leading opponent of international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement and has supported the nominations of conservative justices to the Supreme Court of the United States, including Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. On foreign policy, he has taken a hardline stance against China and Russia, and has been a supporter of Israel.

Personal life

Barrasso was married to his first wife, Linda, from 1979 until her death from cancer in 2007. He married his second wife, Bobbi Brown, in 2008. He has three adult children: Peter, Emma, and Hadley. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys skiing, hiking, and fly fishing in Wyoming. He is a member of the Saint Anthony's Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming. In 2023, he underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer and has since been an advocate for cancer screening. Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:United States senators from Wyoming Category:Wyoming Republicans Category:Georgetown University alumni