Tommy Thompson
Republican candidate for Governor in Wisconsin
Tommy Thompson
Republican candidate for Governor in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Republican Governor nominee?
$27.4K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Tommy Thompson is trading at 0% to win the Wisconsin Republican Governor nominee? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyModerate Republican
Age84 years old (Nov 19, 1941)
GenderMale
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LocationWisconsin
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison — B.A. (Political Science), 1963
Notable personal detailsTommy George Thompson is an American politician and Republican who served as the 42nd governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, winning four terms and becoming the state’s longest-serving governor. He later served as the 19th U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2005. He previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and held leadership roles within national governors’ organizations. Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science (1963) and a law degree (1966) from the University of Wisconsin.
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports major tax cuts and broad tax-code simplification, including making Bush-era tax cuts permanent, implementing a 15% flat tax option leading to a lower top rate, cutting corporate tax rates and exempting certain capital gains and Social Security income, and limiting federal revenue as a share of GDP. Has proposed repatriation and other measures to reduce corporate taxes and encourage investment. Advocacy is oriented toward large tax reductions and smaller government revenue.
Healthcare
Has a history of creating and expanding public programs to increase coverage (e.g., launching BadgerCare in Wisconsin) and led federal efforts to create the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D). Positions have varied over time on mandates and reforms, but record shows support for expanding government programs to broaden access rather than advocating for full privatization or single-payer.
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Immigration & Border
Supports securing the border and opposing amnesty for people who entered illegally, favors measures to prevent illegal entry and penalize employers who hire undocumented workers, and has emphasized fixing immigration laws through Congress. Positions expressed during his 2007–2008 campaign and other public statements prioritize stronger enforcement and border controls while discussing legislative fixes rather than broad regularization pathways.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Tommy Thompson is pro‑life and supports significant restrictions on abortion. As governor he signed parental-consent and partial‑birth abortion bans and has publicly stated that abortion should be illegal. His record includes actions and endorsements from anti‑abortion groups consistent with a strongly restrictive position on abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Tommy G. Thompson has supported both renewable energy (including ethanol and efforts to promote renewables in Wisconsin) and pro-fossil-fuel policies (calling for expanded oil and gas exploration, supporting fracking and pipelines). Public materials and commentary show a combination of market-oriented support for renewables alongside advocacy for increased fossil fuel production and energy independence.
Latest News
Tommy Thompson has endorsed Republican Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s governor race, making his backing one of the notable recent developments around the contest. Earlier reports said Thompson was considering a run for governor, but the latest coverage focuses on his endorsement instead. Wisconsin’s 2026 elections are also drawing attention because they could shape control of the state and possibly future congressional redistricting.
Wisconsin’s longest-serving governor endorses Tom Tiffany
Will Tommy Thompson return with a run for governor? | Politics mailbag
How Wisconsin’s legislative maps could impact the general election
Wisconsin governor candidate says her campaign has far less money than she thought
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising