Tommy Thompson

For people with similar names, see Thomas Thompson.

Tommy George Thompson (born November 19, 1941), a United States politician, was the 19th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin.

Early life

Thompson was born in Elroy, Wisconsin, where his father ran a gas station and country grocery store. His brother, Ed Thompson, was the Libertarian candidate in the 2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.

Tommy Tompson began his career in politics in 1966 as a representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly, after earning his law degree at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Governor of Wisconsin

From 1987 to 2001, Thompson served as the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, having been elected to an unprecedented four terms.

Thompson's most noted initiatives during his nearly 14 years as governor of Wisconsin were his Wisconsin Works welfare reform and school choice programs. In 1990, Thompson enacted the nation's first parental school choice program, allowing low-income Milwaukee families to send children to the private or public school of their choice.

During his incumbency as Wisconsin's chief executive, he held leadership positions in several national and regional organizations. From 1998 to 1999, he served as president of the CSG and, with the organization's chairman, Puerto Rico Sen. Kenneth McClintock, led a top-level delegation to the People's Republic of China. An avid motorcyclist, he was known to successfully encourage many a fellow governor to join him on motorcycle tours of Wisconsin whenever he and his wife, Sue Ann, hosted fellow Governors.

Thompson left office when he was appointed by President George W. Bush as HHS Secretary.

Health and Human Services Secretary

He also worked on strengthening the nation's preparedness for a bioterrorism attack, by stockpiling smallpox vaccines and investing heavily in state and local public health infrastructure. At the announcement of his resignation as HHS Secretary, he commented candidly on that effort.

He announced his resignation from HHS on December 3, 2004, and served until January 26, 2005, when the Senate confirmed his successor, Michael O. Leavitt.

Private sector career

Thompson is presently a senior partner at Akin Gump, a D.C. lawfirm, and is additionally a senior advisor at the consulting firm Deloitte and is the chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. From these posts, he speaks frequently on issues ranging from obesity to health information technology. Thompson taught a class in the fall of 2005 at the Kennedy School of Government on Medical Diplomacy.Thompson, Tommy G. "The cure for tyranny" Boston Globe, October 24, 2005

Shortly after leaving his Bush cabinet post, Thompson joined the board of directors of Applied Digital Solutions, makers of the controversial VeriChips: glass encapsulated RFID devices to be injected into human flesh for identification purposes and for use as a payment device. He acquired a considerable share in the company. In public appearances, he suggested injecting the microchips into Americans to link to their electronic medical records. Thompson also suggested implanting the devices in the military as a replacement for dog tags.Interview on CBS MarketWatch, July 11, 2005. Transcription from SpyChips.com

"We are all well aware of the need to enhance Information Technology in healthcare... It is my belief that VeriChip is an important and secure means of accessing medical records and other information. I look forward to working with the company as it continues its growth."Kanellos, Michael. "Former Bush official to get RFID tag" CNET News.com, July 18, 2005

Various news outlets in July 2005 reported that Thompson would soon get an implant himself. But by December of that year, Thompson still had not had that procedure. Though VeriChip spokespeople attributed it to his busy schedule, opponents attributed it to private concerns he had and concerns about the safety of the device, despite advocating their use by the general public. Spychips.com press release, December 7, 2005

Future public office

Thompson's name has been frequently mentioned for a national GOP ticket.

In 1996, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole named Thompson to his short list of possible vice presidential nominees, along with New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman, Texas Governor George W. Bush, Michigan Governor John Engler, and former U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Jack Kemp. Dole selected Kemp for the running mate slot, but Whitman and Bush were awarded with the job of emceeing the 1996 Republican National Convention that nominated Dole in San Diego, while Thompson and Engler played important roles in the Dole campaign.

Rumors began circulating that Thompson himself would seek the presidency in 2000. However, Thompson announced that he would pass on the race and instead served as chairman of the Republican Platform Committee that outlined the official GOP platform for the 2000 Republican National Convention that met in Philadelphia and nominated George W. Bush for the presidency. After winning the White House, Bush selected Thompson, a close personal friend, to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services.

In August 2005, Thompson made headlines by revealing to the Detroit Free Press that he was considering forming an exploratory committee to run for president in 2008.

Thompson had also been mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2006 gubernatorial election, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Skiba, Katherin M. "Thompson hints at running — but for what?" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 4 2006 After the withdrawal of Scott Walker from the Wisconsin gubernatorial race on March 24, it seemed unlikely to observers that Thompson would enter that race, since Walker endorsed the other Republican candidate, Congressman Mark Green. Thompson initially refused to rule it out.Gilbert, Craig and Katherine M. Skiba. "Thompson: 'If I run, I win'" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 11, 2006 On May 14, however, Thompson announced that after deliberating with family and friends he had decided not to run in the election.Ross, JR. "Thompson Passes on 5th Guv Run" WisPolitics.com May 14 2006

Many have urged Thompson to run against Senator Herb Kohl (including Senator Elizabeth Dole) believing he is the only candidate who would stand a chance against the popular three-term Democratic senator. Thompson announced in mid-June 2006 that he would not run against Sen. Kohl.

Electoral history

1998 Race for Governor
- Tommy Thompson (R) (inc.), 60%
- Ed Garvey (D), 39%

1994 Race for Governor
- Tommy Thompson (R) (inc.), 67%
- Chuck Chvala (D), 31%

1990 Race for Governor
- Tommy Thompson (R) (inc.), 58%
- Tom Loftus (D), 42%

1986 Race for Governor
- Tommy Thompson (R), 53%
- Tony Earl (D) (inc.), 46%

Notes

External links

Biography from the White House
"Tommy Thompson and the Conservative Revolution"; primary source material compiled by the Wisconsin Historical Society
Skiba, Katherine M. "Mr. Thompson goes corporate" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 25, 2006

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