Tommy Thompson isn't ruling out campaign for Wisconsin governor after stint at UW
Molly Beck
MADISON - Tommy Thompson is flirting with a new run for governor as his time leading the University of Wisconsin System winds down.
Thompson, 80, told television reporters on Tuesday he isn't ruling out seeking another term in the governor's office — his fifth, if successful.
"Everything is on the table," Thompson told WISN 12. "I'm not saying it's in the cards. But, I'm physically and mentally capable of doing anything."
Thompson will leave his position as president of the state's university system on March 18 after nearly two years working on an interim basis. Thompson was named interim president in July 2020 after a failed search by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents to find a new president.
Thompson is not currently considering the idea seriously and is focused on running the university system until he leaves in March, according to a Republican source. Thompson did not immediately return a phone call from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Thompson told WISN he's going to sit down with his family in April and discuss the future.
Thompson, a Republican, was elected governor in 1986 and served a record four terms until 2001 when former President George W. Bush appointed him to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. In 2007, Thompson briefly ran for president and in 2012, he was defeated by Tammy Baldwin for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
His time in public office began in 1967 as a member of the state Assembly.
Thompson would immediately scramble the race for governor if he launched a campaign. Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch is the only high-profile Republican in the primary race to challenge Democratic incumbent Gov. Tony Evers.
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Former U.S. Senate candidates Kevin Nicholson and Eric Hovde are also eyeing the race. Nicholson is expected to launch a campaign in the coming days.
Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.