Dave Freudenthal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dave Freudenthal
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Freudenthal in 2008
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| 31st Governor of Wyoming | |
| In office January 6, 2003 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Geringer |
| Succeeded by | Matt Mead |
| United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming | |
| In office March 25, 1994 – May 2001 |
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| President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Richard Stacy |
| Succeeded by | Matt Mead |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Duane Freudenthal
October 12, 1950 Thermopolis, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nancy Roan |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Amherst College (BA) University of Wyoming (JD) |
| Signature |  |
David Duane Freudenthal, born on October 12, 1950, is an American politician, lawyer, and economist. He was the 31st Governor of Wyoming from 2003 to 2011. Before becoming governor, he worked as a United States Attorney for Wyoming from 1994 to 2001. He is a member of the Democratic Party. As of 2025, he is the last Democrat to have won a statewide election in Wyoming.
Contents
About Dave Freudenthal
Early Life and Education
Dave Freudenthal was born in Thermopolis, Wyoming, on October 12, 1950. He was the seventh of eight children in his family. He grew up on a farm just north of Thermopolis.
In 1973, he graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics. After college, he worked for the Department of Economic Planning and Development. He was an economist and later became the state planning director for Governor Edgar Herschler.
Freudenthal then went to law school. He earned his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1980. After that, he started his own law practice.
Political Career
In 1994, Dave Freudenthal became the United States Attorney for Wyoming. This job meant he was the chief federal prosecutor in the state. Governor Mike Sullivan recommended him for this important role. He held this position until May 2001. Later, Matt Mead, who would also become governor, took over his role.
Governor of Wyoming
In 2002, Freudenthal decided to run for governor of Wyoming. He won the Democratic primary election with more than half of the votes. Then, on November 5, 2002, he was elected governor. He won with 50% of the votes.
He ran for reelection in 2006 and won by a lot. He received 70% of the votes and won in every county in Wyoming. On March 4, 2010, Freudenthal announced he would not run for a third term. Wyoming law limits governors to eight years in office within a 16-year period.
Freudenthal was very popular with the people of Wyoming during his time as governor. This was special because he was a Democrat in a state that mostly voted Republican. He often held views that were similar to Republicans. This sometimes led to disagreements with federal officials.
During most of his two terms, Wyoming had a big energy boom. This meant the state had a lot of extra money. However, after the Great Recession, the economy slowed down. Freudenthal then asked state agencies to cut their spending.
In June 2007, a U.S. Senator from Wyoming, Craig L. Thomas, passed away. Governor Freudenthal had to choose someone to take his place. State law required him to pick from a list given by the Wyoming Republican Party. He chose John Barrasso to serve in the United States Senate.
Personal Life
Dave Freudenthal is married to Nancy D. Freudenthal. She is from Cody, Wyoming. Nancy Freudenthal is a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming. They have four children: Donald, Hillary, Bret, and Katie.
His brother, Steve Freudenthal, also worked in politics. He was the Attorney General under Governor Edgar Herschler. He also served in the Wyoming House of Representatives. In 2008, while he was governor, Dave Freudenthal had shoulder surgery. During that short time, Max Maxfield, the Secretary of State of Wyoming, served as acting governor. Freudenthal is a member of the Episcopal Church.
See also
In Spanish: Dave Freudenthal para niños
