Tommy Thompson presidential campaign, 2008
| Tommy 2008 | |
|---|---|
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| Campaign | U.S. presidential election, 2008 |
| Candidate |
Tommy Thompson Governor of Wisconsin (1987–2001) Secretary of Health and Human Services (2001–2005) |
| Affiliation | Republican Party |
| Headquarters | Alexandria, VA |
| Key people | Darrin Schmitz (Director) Rodman Hise (Treasurer) Phil Prange (Finance Director) Brian Dumas (Consultant) Steve Grubbs (Adviser) |
| Receipts | US$.890398 (2007-06-30) |
| Website | |
| http://www.tommy2008.com | |
The 2008 presidential campaign of Tommy Thompson, 42nd Governor of Wisconsin and Secretary of Health and Human Services began when he announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States on April 1, 2007. Thompson centered his campaign in Iowa, focusing primarily on the issues of health care reform and the War in Iraq. He dropped out of the race on August 12, 2007 following a sixth-place finish in the Ames straw poll and went on to endorse Rudy Giuliani for president and then John McCain following Giuliani's withdrawal.
Had he been elected, Thompson would have become the second Roman Catholic president (after John F. Kennedy) and the first Wisconsin-born president. He was the first former Secretary of Health and Human Services to seek the presidency.
Thompson's political career began in 1966 upon his election to the Wisconsin State Assembly after graduating from law school at University of Wisconsin–Madison. While in the assembly, he received the nickname of "Dr. No" for blocking legislation through parliamentary procedure. He was named assistant minority leader of the body in 1973 and became minority leader in 1981. He unsuccessfully ran for United States Congress in 1979, losing in the Republican primary to Tom Petri.
Thompson was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 1986. He was re-elected three times. During his tenure, he successfully pushed for welfare reform through Wisconsin Works, a workfare program. Welfare participation decreased by 90% under the program. Thompson also successfully backed a school voucher program. Near the end of his governorship, Thompson implemented BadgerCare, which provided health coverage for children ineligible for Medicaid. As governor, Thompson vetoed bills frequently and often exercised the line-item veto. None of his vetoes were overturned. Thompson served as chairman of the National Governors Association from 1995 to 1996. He was considered as a potential running mate for Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole in 1996, but was passed over for Jack Kemp. Thompson left as governor during his fourth term in 2001 to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the George W. Bush administration.
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