wi_gov_THOMPSON
GOVERNOR TOMMY THOMPSON
Age: 56 Born: November 19, 1941; Elroy, Wisconsin Education: University of Wisconsin - Madison, J.D. (1966), B.A. (1963) Military: U.S. Army Reserve (1967-76) Family: Married - Sue Ann; Three children Hometown: Elroy, Wisconsin Religion: Roman Catholic Career: Governor (1987-present); State Assembly Minority Leader (1981-1986); State Assembly (1967-1986) |
• Thompson was born in rural Elroy, Wisconsin (population 1,652), the second oldest of four children. His father was a grocer and former schoolteacher who dabbled in politics, serving as a non-partisan Juneau county board member. Thompson still lives in Elroy and commutes the 85 miles to Madison.
• In 1958, at age 17, Thompson arrived at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. While still in college, he went to Washington and served as a congressional intern. Although it was the peak of the Kennedy years, Thompson became enamored with Barry Goldwater after reading the Arizona Republican's "Conscience of a Conservative." When he returned to Madison, Thompson organized the first campus chapter in support of the Senator.
• After college, Thompson stayed at Madison and earned his law degree in 1966. After graduating at age 24, he ran for a seat in the Wisconsin Assembly. His opponent was a seven-term incumbent who didn't take Thompson's challenge seriously; instead of campaigning, he went on a cruise. Thompson campaigned door-to-door and pulled off the upset victory. He was elected Minority Leader in 1981 and served in that post until 1986 when he was elected governor over Democratic incumbent Tony Earl. Thompson won re-election in 1990 by capturing 58% of the vote against Assembly Speaker Thomas Loftus.
• As governor, Thompson has drawn national attention by pushing for innovative welfare reform programs including the Workfare and Leanfare programs which require welfare recipients to participate in job training or attend school. However, while Thompson's reputation outside the state rests on welfare reform, his popularity at home may have more to do with his image of leading the state out of the economic doldrums of the late 1980s. Since Thompson took office, Wisconsin has gained more than 600,000 jobs. In addition, he pushed through the largest tax cut in state history -- a $1.2 billion property tax cut in 1995.
• In 1994, Thompson became the first governor in state history to be re-elected to a third term when he clobbered Chuck Chvala with 67% of the vote. In 1996, Thompson was under consideration by the Dole presidential campaign as a potential running mate, and he has been mentioned by some as a potential presidential candidate in the future