Tommy Thompson sends new signals he may run for Senate

rnc-logoTommy Thompson, a former Republican governor and Cabinet official of Wisconsin, has been sending new signals to the party faithful in recent weeks that he may jump into the Senate race against Sen. Russ Feingold this fall, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I don’t know if Thompson is a RINO, but a RINO would certainly be better than flaming liberal Russ Feingold, BTW, according to Rasmussen polling, Tommy Thompson leads Feingold for the Senate race 48% to 43%.

Thompson, who has considered returning to public office a number of times since he left the Bush administration, is in serious discussions with longtime GOP operatives about putting together a campaign plan and is attracting considerable attention from political donors who are pledging to help him finance a race.

The Elroy Republican could set up an exploratory committee as early as this month to more formally consider his election prospects, according to sources close to Thompson. But they also caution that Thompson has not yet made up his mind about the race.

“A lot of this has really been coming to him,” said an aide who did not want to be identified.

Another source close to Thompson said he recently fielded a call with a political donor who pledged to raise $100,000 for the campaign.

“The right people are gathering to put together the skeleton of a plan,” the source said.

Thompson’s candidacy would dramatically change the dynamics of the Senate race in Wisconsin, giving Republicans a better chance at Feingold’s seat. The GOP pressure on Thompson to run has only intensified in recent weeks as the party sees new openings to take back control of the Senate.

“I don’t think he would run if he didn’t feel he could make a difference,” said Brian Schimming, a former Thompson aide who is now a partner at the lobbying firm Midwest Strategy Group. “What this tells me is he feels and/or has been assured he’s going to have a voice at the table.”

Two other Republicans are already running in the GOP primary: Madison developer Terrence Wall and Watertown businessman Dave Westlake.

For more, take a look at what the inside-the-beltway publication Politico is saying about a possible Thompson run.

Here’s a link to previous coverage of a possible Thompson run in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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March 1, 2010 · Filed Under General Politics


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