Tommy Thompson

From dKosopedia

Category: Wisconsin Republicans

Tommy Thompson is a former Republican Governor of Wisconsin. He was first elected Governor in 1986, and was reelected three more times before he resigned to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2004. He campaigned for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2008, but withdrew after a poor showing in the Iowa Republican Straw Poll.

As Governor, Thompson was known for a welfare reform program that became a model for the nation. He also supported school vouchers and expanded medical care for children. At HHS, he spoke frequently about AIDS.

Thompson entered public office by winning a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1966, and the age of 24.