Tommy Thompson Endorses Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin Governor
Thompson's announcement ends any speculation he might run for governor in 2026.
Tommy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the UW System.
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson has endorsed Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany’s bid for governor, officially ending any speculation he might challenge Tiffany in a GOP primary.
Thompson, who was elected governor a record four times, had said last year that he was considering running again in 2026.
In a statement released Friday afternoon by Tiffany’s campaign, Thompson referenced his Wisconsin upbringing.
“Growing up in Elroy instilled in me the values that shaped my time as governor,” Thompson said. “Tom Tiffany comes from those same Wisconsin roots. From his upbringing on a dairy farm in Elmwood to his service today, he knows our communities and what it takes to lead.”
While Tiffany was widely considered the GOP frontrunner for governor, early polling has shown many Republican voters are still unsure about who they’ll support in November. A primary challenge from Thompson could have exposed fractures in the party during what is expected to be a challenging year for Republicans.
Thompson, who is 84, was elected governor in 1986. He served until 2001, when he left office to become former President George W. Bush’s secretary of Health and Human Services.
While he’s stayed involved in politics, he has regularly sent signals he misses holding office and the thrill of the campaign.
Thompson ran briefly for president in 2007, and in 2012, he lost a bid for U.S. Senate against Democrat Tammy Baldwin.
He flirted with running for governor at least two previous times, once in 2006 and again in 2022.
Tommy Thompson endorses Tom Tiffany’s bid for Wisconsin governor was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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Just another hit against TT legacy as a Republican who wasnt a MAGA.
Heh, heh, heh, ‘ol Tommy T. Thinks he’s still relevant in MAGAworld. Somebody wake up grampa.
Tommy who?
Now if Tiffany can get an endorsement from former governor Huckleby it will be a trifecta of old white men who are no longer relevant.
It is too bad that Tommy has swallowed the MAGA cool aid. At one time in his career, he was a moderate Republican who advocated for health care and AmTrak.
So Tiffy has the endorsement of a soon to be 80 year old racist, pedophile-protecting, felon president, an 84 year old political has been ex-governor of Wisconsin, and the unsurprising usual laundry list of “supporters” (aka cult members) comprised of:
Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip
Scott Fitzgerald, WI-05 (certainly somebody told him who Tiffany was and that he had to endorse him. Then they allowed him to continue his hap)
Glenn Grothman, WI-06
Harriet Hageman, WY-AL (Who???)
Jim Jordan, OH-04 (THEE Ohio State assistant wrestling coach accused by former athletes of knowing about, and failing to stop, the sexual abuse of male wrestlers by team doctor Richard Strauss)
Troy Nehls, TX-22 (Who???)
Bryan Steil, WI-01
Derrick Van Orden, WI-03 (MAGA maniac/moron)
Tony Wied, WI-08
Tommy you declared your disdain for me and all of Milwaukee when you proclaimed to the entire State of Wisconsin electorate “Stick it to ‘em!”
Remember? Bro? You wanted the Brewers Baseball club to come to the State and stick the cost to the ni**ers in Milwaukee.
For a lot of people Hell ain’t a bad place to be.
And you is one.
@MilwPhil…
Dude, you are absolutely correct about Thompson. I am ashamed to say that I had forgotten that shameful statement from him.
“Stick it to ’em” Thompson showed his true colors at times while occupying the governor’s mansion, and lately that color has been deeper and deeper red.