2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Tommy Thompson 2008 Iowa Announcement e-Mail

Come Be A Part Of History! Thompson e-mail to supporters.

Hello!

Back in December I formed a Presidential Exploratory Committee to research my chances as a presidential candidate; and I could not be happier with the results! That is why I have made my candidacy for the Office of the President of the United States official!

I have been all over the state of Iowa these last months and every city and town I have visited has been very welcoming.  People have been overwhelmingly supportive and folks everywhere have been pledging their time and support to my campaign.

Therefore, my official Iowa announcement will be:

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

7 Flags Event Center
2100 NW 100th Street
Clive, Iowa
12:00p.m.
 
I would be honored if you would join me and my family for this special event.

Kind Regards,
Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson To Declare Candidacy On April 4

Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson will hold events in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, April 4, to announce he is running for President of the United States.

Tommy Thompson To Run for President

Tommy Thompson to Run for President
Former Governor, Bush Health Secretary Tommy Thompson Says He Is Running for President in 2008

WASHINGTON Apr 1, 2007 (AP)— Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson on Sunday joined the crowded field of Republicans running for the White House in 2008. "I am the reliable conservative," he asserted

Thompson was interviewed on "This Week" on ABC.

ABC News Story (AP)

Thompson Family Statement On Elizabeth Edwards

Statement from Sue Ann and Tommy G. Thompson on Elizabeth Edwards

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Elizabeth Edwards and her family as she again battles this terrible disease. We know what they are going through and admire their strength as they deal with this together as a family.”

Thompson Names New Hampshire Team

MERIDIAN COMMUNICATIONS TO LEAD THOMPSON’S NH EFFORT

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson’s presidential exploratory committee announced today the hiring of Manchester-based Meridian Communications to lead the committee’s work in New Hampshire.

Building on Thompson’s strong organization in Iowa, Meridian has been involved in successful New Hampshire campaigns dating back to Pat Buchanan’s victory in the 1996 primary.

“We are excited to be working with the only reliable conservative in this primary race,” Meridian Co-Founder Michael Biundo said. “Based on the Governor’s record of low taxes, welfare reform, and other conservative credentials, we believe Tommy Thompson is a perfect fit for New Hampshire’s voters.”

Thompson added, “Meridian brings a strong leadership team and a deep knowledge of the state to our efforts in New Hampshire. I am honored that Meridian decided to join our team as we work toward the first-in-the nation primary.”

Biundo, the firm’s co-founder and one of the top political strategists in the region, was the architect of Guinta’s campaign in 2005 – one of the few GOP victories that year – and was a director of Buchanan’s upset victory in New Hampshire in 1996.

Jack Heath also is a co-founder of Meridian Communications and was vice president and news director of WMUR-TV News in Manchester from 1990-96.
He also is a former reporter for WCVB-TV in Boston and now hosts a daily talk readio show called NH Today on WTPL 107.7 FM.

Also working with the Thompson team will be Roger S. Wilkins, a well- known political advisor with campaign teams across New Hampshire. Wilkins led the field team in the 1996 primary victory and has worked on grassroots efforts for U.S. Sen. Bob Smith.

Dix Named Chairman Of Thompson Exploratory Committee

DIX NAMED CHAIRMAN OF TOMMY THOMPSON EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE

SHELL ROCK, Iowa – Bill Dix, former Iowa House Appropriations chairman, on Monday was named General Chairman of the Tommy Thompson for President Exploratory Committee. 

“Iowa needs a President who understands and supports ethanol for energy security,” Dix said. “Of all the candidates, none have a stronger background with farming and ethanol than Tommy Thompson. He is a reliable conservative who has a record of getting elected four times as governor in a state that’s tough on Republicans.  He's a winner and a conservative with a proven record of results.”

“As chairman, Bill Dix proved budgets can be balanced without tax increases, even in the face of difficult decisions,” Thompson said. “Our team needs and appreciates advisors who know Iowa like Bill Dix and understand the importance of sticking to our core principles as Republicans.”

Dix served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1997 – 2007, three of those years as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.  He was also runner-up in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary in 2006.

Governor Branstad's Former State Chair Joins Thompson Committee

GOV. BRANSTAD'S FORMER STATE CHAIR JOINS THOMPSON COMMITTEE

 

Charlotte Mohr, who served as Governor Terry Branstad's state chair from 1978 - 1998, has joined the Thompson for President Exploratory Committee as an honorary state chair.

"Republicans need a candidate who understands agriculture and is able to win in the general election, and that's Tommy Thompson," Mohr said.  "After watching Governor Thompson for years, I know he is a reliable conservative who has the leadership skills and reform agenda necessary to move our nation and our party forward."

Mohr served as a key advisor to the Bush 2004 Campaign.

"Charlotte Mohr is a great Iowa Republican who has earned the respect of people throughout the state," Thompson said. "I'm honored to have her support and plan to continue Governor Branstad's winning ways in the state."

Thompson was elected four times Governor of Wisconsin and served four years as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Bush Administration.

Klauser To Lead Wisconsin Efforts For Thompson

KLAUSER TO LEAD WISCONSIN EFFORTS FOR THOMPSON

MADISON, Wis. – Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson today announced the addition of James R. Klauser to his presidential exploratory committee.

Klauser, a longtime advisor and Department of Administration Secretary to Governor Thompson, will serve as Chairman for Thompson’s presidential exploratory committee in Wisconsin.

“Jim has been a longtime friend and advisor. I’m pleased he has come on board to lead the Wisconsin effort and to advise the committee,” Thompson said. “Each day we’re building more momentum and support, and I am looking forward to bringing America together to tackle the tough issues facing our nation.”

Klauser served as Co-Chairman, George W. Bush for President–Wisconsin 2000 and as Chairman of the Bush-Cheney 2004 Wisconsin campaign.

“Governor Thompson is making the right moves at the right time and is building an impressive campaign,” Klauser said. “His strong leadership and bold ideas make him an attractive candidate. I am excited to help lead this effort.”

Schmitz Named National Political Director For Thompson Campaign

THOMPSON NAMES FORMER BUSH CAMPAIGN AIDE NATIONAL POLITICAL DIRECTOR

MADISON, Wis. - Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson today announced the addition of Darrin Schmitz to serve as national political director for his presidential exploratory committee.

Schmitz is the former press secretary and deputy campaign manager to Governor Thompson.

"Darrin is a great addition to the team and I'm happy to have him on board the exploratory committee," Thompson said. "We're quickly building an experienced and committed team of individuals who will help move America forward."

In 2000, Schmitz served as Executive Director for George W. Bush's Wisconsin presidential campaign, which produced one of the narrowest state margins in the country and established Wisconsin as a battleground state.

"I'm excited about Governor Thompson's potential campaign. His ideas - like welfare reform and school choice - launched some of the largest changes to America's social policy in generations," Schmitz said. "He has a proven track record of leadership and policy initiatives that America is looking for in a presidential candidate."

Tommy Thompson Announces Key Exploratory Committee Staff And Advisors In Iowa

THOMPSON ANNOUNCES KEY COMMITTEE STAFF, ADVISORS IN IOWA

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson announced today that four more prominent Iowa Republicans, including the state chairman of the Iowa College Republicans and the former Iowa Speaker of the House, have signed on to his presidential exploratory committee

We are building a strong team in Iowa that is committed to bringing America together again and developing common sense solutions to the problems that face our families," Thompson said. "I am highly honored that they are joining the exploratory committee."

The additions to Thompson's Iowa team include:

Chad Olsen, Forbes 2000 political director. Olsen will manage the exploratory committee and will serve as Iowa campaign manager, should Thompson decide to run for President in 2008.

Ron Corbett will serve as senior advisor to the exploratory committee.

Bobby Kaufmann will serve as Thompson's events coordinator.

Gwen Ecklund will serve as an advisor to the exploratory committee.

The four join two key team members who signed on last month:

Steve Grubbs, Bob Dole's state co-chairman in 1996, Grubbs will serve as a consultant to the exploratory committee.

Brian Dumas, Alexander for President in 1996 and 1999, will serve as a consultant to the exploratory committee.

"Tommy Thompson has a proven record of getting things done, both at the federal level and especially as Governor of Wisconsin," Olsen said. "He is a leader who is not afraid to tackle the tough issues facing the country, and that is what America needs."