Tommy Thompson won't launch a fifth campaign for Wisconsin governor

MADISON - Tommy Thompson has decided not to launch a fifth campaign for governor. 

Thompson — who was elected governor of Wisconsin four times, served as President George W. Bush's health secretary, and led the state's system of universities through a pandemic — said Monday he has decided against a new run for his old job but believes he would have been a formidable candidate. 

"This is a very difficult conclusion. After a full life of service and leading and growing businesses, I know I have the vision, drive and vitality to serve another term as governor," Thompson said in a statement.

"Wisconsin needs strong leadership to bridge political divides, care for our most vulnerable, set our economy on a path to succeed in the 21st-century, and again make us the shining star of the nation. I would have brought those qualities and commitment as governor," he said.

Thompson said he remains "determined to participate in efforts to address the problems that face us all."

"I am open and will continue to investigate how I may otherwise serve," he said. 

A late entry by the 80-year-old Thompson, a political icon in Wisconsin, would have scrambled the Republican primary race to unseat Democratic incumbent Gov. Tony Evers. 

Already running are former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who announced her campaign for governor eight months ago, Kevin Nicholson, a U.S. Marine veteran and management consultant who launched his bid in January, and state Rep. Tim Ramthun, who announced his candidacy in February. 

Thompson began considering the idea of running again in February as he approached the end of his interim presidency of the University of Wisconsin System.

Since then, a conservative group created by a former Thompson administration official conducted a poll about Thompson's chances. And earlier this month, Thompson met with former President Donald Trump at Trump's Florida resort Mar-a-Lago. Thompson described the meeting as "just a discussion."

His decision to stay out of the governor's race comes after a meeting with potential candidate Tim Michels, a former U.S. Army Ranger and a co-owner of his family's international infrastructure and energy construction corporation.

Michels met with Thompson in recent weeks as he considers whether to join the race. Sources told the Journal Sentinel last week the pair agreed only one of them would likely enter the race. 

Thompson 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. 

Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.