Tommy Thompson

19th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services; 42nd Governor of Wisconsin

Tommy George Thompson (born November 19, 1941) is an American Republican politician. He was a state legislator in Wisconsin, and 42nd Governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001.

Tommy Thompson
Thompson circa 2001
19th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
In office
February 2, 2001 – January 26, 2005
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byDonna Shalala
Succeeded byMike Leavitt
42nd Governor of Wisconsin
In office
January 5, 1987 – February 1, 2001
LieutenantScott McCallum
Preceded byTony Earl
Succeeded byScott McCallum
Personal details
Born
Tommy George Thompson

(1941-11-19) November 19, 1941 (age 82)
Elroy, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Sue Ann Mashak (1968–present)
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army seal United States Army
Rank Captain

Thompson is the longest serving governor in the state's history. During his term as governor he was the chairman of Amtrak, the nation's passenger rail service. He served as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2001 through 2005, appointed by George W. Bush.

After his time in the Bush Administration, Thompson was a partner with the law-firm Akin Gump and Chairman of Deloitte's global healthcare practice and has served on the board of 22 other organizations.

Thompson was a candidate for the U.S. Presidential election in 2008, though he withdrew from the race before the primaries.[1]

In 2012, he was the Republican nominee for the United States Senate seat in Wisconsin, hoping to replace retiring Democrat Herb Kohl, but was defeated by Tammy Baldwin, making it his first statewide loss.[2]

References change

  1. Falcone, Michael (August 12, 2007). "Tommy Thompson Bows Out of Race". The New York Times.
  2. "Tommy Thompson breaks silence on election; Invites 12 News reporter into Elroy home". WISN-TV. March 7, 2013.