Ed Thompson
Encyclopedia
Allan Edward "Ed" Thompson (December 25, 1944 – October 22, 2011), was an American
businessman and politician
. He served as Mayor of Tomah, Wisconsin
for two non-consecutive terms, and was the Libertarian
candidate for Governor
of Wisconsin
in 2002, receiving 11% of the vote in that race. He was elected to his first term as mayor of Tomah in April 2000, with 58% of the vote. He was again elected mayor of Tomah on April 1, 2008, by nearly a 2 to 1 margin against the incumbent
, Charles Ludeking.
. A graduate of Royall High School (1963), he was active in the drama department and competed in football, basketball, and track. After high school, Ed briefly attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War
. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he married Kathy Nelson; the couple settled in Elroy and had four children: Ann Marie, Kristin Beth, Allan Edward “Chip” Thompson, and Joshua Thompson.
Thompson was the owner of the Tee-Pee supper club
, a restaurant in Tomah, and was the subject of the documentary A Remarkable Man. His older brother, Tommy Thompson
, a Republican
, was formerly Governor of Wisconsin
and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
.
On April 5, 2005, Thompson won an unexpected victory in the common council election in Tomah, Wisconsin. Thompson wasn't running for the position and was, unknown to him, the subject of a write-in campaign. He would receive 31 of 34 votes. His "opponent", John Buick, received one vote from Thompson himself. Thompson initially declined to accept the position, but later reconsidered. He was sworn in on April 15, 2005, and served two years on the Tomah common council.
In 2008, Thompson took the place of outgoing Mayor Ludeking, whom he defeated in the mayoral election on April 1 by nearly a 2-1 margin. Thompson was sworn in to office for his second (non-consecutive) two-year term as mayor of Tomah on April 15, 2008.
, the state Attorney General, and incumbent Republican Governor Scott McCallum
, former Lieutenant Governor
who had assumed the office in 2001 after Governor Tommy Thompson
left to become U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
.
The 2002 governor's race is considered by some to have been the most negative campaign
in the state's history. In response, Thompson publicly critical of the negative campaigning of both major party
candidates, who became a more viable option for some voters, garnered 10% of the vote. Doyle won the election with a plurality of 45% of the vote. He became the first Democratic governor in the state since Anthony Earl was defeated in 1986. Doyle was sworn in on January 6, 2003 at the State Capitol in Madison
.
seat in 2010, against incumbent Kathleen Vinehout
. The 31st District includes all of Trempealeau, Buffalo, Jackson and Pepin counties, and parts of Monroe, Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire and Clark counties. On November 2, 2010, Vinehout defeated Thompson, who was still campaigning for the office, despite being recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
in September 2010. On November 9, 2010, he requested a recount with only 352 votes separating Thompson from Vinehout. On November 19, 2010, he conceded the election to Vinehout.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He served as Mayor of Tomah, Wisconsin
Tomah, Wisconsin
Tomah is a city in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 9,093. The city is located partially within the Town of Tomah.-Education:...
for two non-consecutive terms, and was the Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
candidate for Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
in 2002, receiving 11% of the vote in that race. He was elected to his first term as mayor of Tomah in April 2000, with 58% of the vote. He was again elected mayor of Tomah on April 1, 2008, by nearly a 2 to 1 margin against the incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
, Charles Ludeking.
Early life, education, and business career
Thompson was born was born in Elroy, WisconsinElroy, Wisconsin
Elroy is a city in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Baraboo River and at the east end of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail. The population was 1,578 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elroy is located at ....
. A graduate of Royall High School (1963), he was active in the drama department and competed in football, basketball, and track. After high school, Ed briefly attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he married Kathy Nelson; the couple settled in Elroy and had four children: Ann Marie, Kristin Beth, Allan Edward “Chip” Thompson, and Joshua Thompson.
Thompson was the owner of the Tee-Pee supper club
Supper club
A supper club, in general, refers to a dining establishment that also functions as a social club. The term may describe different establishments depending on the region, but in general, supper clubs tend to present themselves as having a high-class image, even if the price is affordable to...
, a restaurant in Tomah, and was the subject of the documentary A Remarkable Man. His older brother, Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, was formerly Governor of Wisconsin
Governor of Wisconsin
The Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state...
and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, concerned with health matters. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet...
.
Tomah politics
In 2000, he defeated incumbent Mayor Bud Johnson with 57% of the vote. He served only one two-year term.On April 5, 2005, Thompson won an unexpected victory in the common council election in Tomah, Wisconsin. Thompson wasn't running for the position and was, unknown to him, the subject of a write-in campaign. He would receive 31 of 34 votes. His "opponent", John Buick, received one vote from Thompson himself. Thompson initially declined to accept the position, but later reconsidered. He was sworn in on April 15, 2005, and served two years on the Tomah common council.
In 2008, Thompson took the place of outgoing Mayor Ludeking, whom he defeated in the mayoral election on April 1 by nearly a 2-1 margin. Thompson was sworn in to office for his second (non-consecutive) two-year term as mayor of Tomah on April 15, 2008.
2002 gubernatorial campaign
Thompson became the Libertarian party nominee in April and ran against Democrat Jim DoyleJim Doyle
James Edward "Jim" Doyle is a Wisconsin politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the 44th Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. He defeated incumbent Governor Scott McCallum by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent; the Libertarian Party candidate Ed...
, the state Attorney General, and incumbent Republican Governor Scott McCallum
Scott McCallum
Scott McCallum is a member of the Republican Party who served as the 43rd Governor of Wisconsin, from 2001 to 2003. Prior to assuming the role of governor upon the appointment of Tommy Thompson as Secretary of Health and Human Services, McCallum served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and...
, former Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
who had assumed the office in 2001 after Governor Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
left to become U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, concerned with health matters. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet...
.
The 2002 governor's race is considered by some to have been the most negative campaign
Negative campaigning
Negative campaigning, also known more colloquially as "mudslinging", is trying to win an advantage by referring to negative aspects of an opponent or of a policy rather than emphasizing one's own positive attributes or preferred policies...
in the state's history. In response, Thompson publicly critical of the negative campaigning of both major party
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
candidates, who became a more viable option for some voters, garnered 10% of the vote. Doyle won the election with a plurality of 45% of the vote. He became the first Democratic governor in the state since Anthony Earl was defeated in 1986. Doyle was sworn in on January 6, 2003 at the State Capitol in Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
.
2010 State Senate campaign
Thompson announced in October 2009 that he would run as a Republican for the 31st district Wisconsin State SenateWisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
seat in 2010, against incumbent Kathleen Vinehout
Kathleen Vinehout
Kathleen Vinehout, Ph.D, M.P.H. is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 31st district since 2007.- Early life, education and career :...
. The 31st District includes all of Trempealeau, Buffalo, Jackson and Pepin counties, and parts of Monroe, Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire and Clark counties. On November 2, 2010, Vinehout defeated Thompson, who was still campaigning for the office, despite being recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
in September 2010. On November 9, 2010, he requested a recount with only 352 votes separating Thompson from Vinehout. On November 19, 2010, he conceded the election to Vinehout.
2002 race for Governor
- Jim DoyleJim DoyleJames Edward "Jim" Doyle is a Wisconsin politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the 44th Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. He defeated incumbent Governor Scott McCallum by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent; the Libertarian Party candidate Ed...
(D), 45% - Scott McCallumScott McCallumScott McCallum is a member of the Republican Party who served as the 43rd Governor of Wisconsin, from 2001 to 2003. Prior to assuming the role of governor upon the appointment of Tommy Thompson as Secretary of Health and Human Services, McCallum served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and...
(R) (inc.), 41% - Ed Thompson (Lib.), 11%
2010 race for 31st District State Senator
- Kathleen VinehoutKathleen VinehoutKathleen Vinehout, Ph.D, M.P.H. is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 31st district since 2007.- Early life, education and career :...
(D) (Inc.), 50.27% - Ed Thompson (R), 49.61%