John Anthony Barrasso, M.D. (born 1953), is a Republican member of the Wyoming State Senate from District 27, which encompasses his hometown of Casper, the seat of Natrona County. Barrasso was eleced to the Wyoming Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He is a board certified orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Casper.
Barrasso graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a bachelor of science degree in 1974. He received his medical degree from Georgetown as well in 1978. He conducted his residency at Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut.
In addition to his private practice, he is chief of staff of the Wyoming Medical Center, state president of the Wyoming Medical Society, president of the National Association of Physician
Broadcasters and a member of the American Medical Association Council of Ethics and Judicial Affairs.
In the state Senate he serves on the following
committees:
Labor, Health and Social Services Committee
Select Committee on Legislative Technology
Department of Health Advisory
Council
NCSL - Labor and Workforce Development
NCSL - Transportation
CSG West - Trade & Transportation
Chairman: Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs
Barrasso is considered a conservative and maintains a "pro life" political position. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for
the Senate in 1996 for the seat vacated by the moderate Alan K. Simpson of Cody. He lost the primary to Mike Enzi. At a 2006 Conservative Political Action Committee meeting, Barrosso was quoted on abortion as follows:
Dr. John Barrasso, a physician and Republican Wyoming state senator, said conservatives are
"in a battle for people's hearts and people's minds" on the abortion issue, "and it's a battle
that we are winning.
"Some of these things make perfect sense to folks, Barrasso said. "I'm an orthopedic
surgeon. If a 15-year-old twists her ankle in gym class and she wants to come to my office and have me see her for her ankle,
parental notification isn't good enough. She needs parental permission. So, if the same 15-year-old is pregnant and is
out seeking an abortion, shouldn't the family be involved? The answer is, 'Of course!'"
While not known specifically as a "guns rights" advocate, Barrasso is nonetheless a supporter of individual gun
owners' rights and receives an "A" rating from the National Rifle Asociation.
In announcing his candidacy
to fill the seat made vacant by the death of U.S. Senator Craig Thomas, Barrasso said:
"I'm proud of my record and will fight hard for our shared beliefs. Like Senator
Thomas, I believe in limited government, lower taxes, less spending, traditional family values, local control and a strong
defense. In the State Senate....I have voted for prayer in schools, against gay marriage and have sponsored legislation to
protect the sanctity of life."
He is also a member of the board of directors
of "Presidential Classroom," a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that brings young people to Washington to learn about their national government. Barrasso is a member of the
Casper Chamber of Commerce and the Casper Rotary Club.
Barrasso, currently single, has two children -- a son, Peter now in college,
and a daughter, Emma, a senior in high School. He is divorced from his first wife. Emma competes in the Wyoming Science Olympiad and Science Bowl and studies robotics at the two-year
Casper College.
Barrasso is a perrenial local host for the Jerry Lewis Telethon (with more than 20 years' service) and a frequent guest on Utah Public Television and the Casper NBC affiliate, KTWO where he offers commentary on a wide range of medical topics. He is author of a regular newspaper column, "Keeping Wyoming Healthy" and is particularly known for his senior and elder care including, among other
things, writing a series of monthly articles on senior fitness,care and prevention entitled, "Caring for Wyoming's
Seniors."
Not limited to conventional medical practice, Dr. Barrasso is also a rodeo physician for the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association (and a member of the "Cowboy Joe Club") and volunteers
as a team physician for Casper College as well as several local high schools. He has been awarded the "Wyoming Physician
of the Year." He has also been awarded the "Medal of Excellence" by the Wyoming National Guard for his services
to the National Guard. Dr. Barrasso also received the "Legislative Service Award" from the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his support of Wyoming's veterans.
