Former candidate for governor, Ed Thompson is making a bid for the legislature. Saying he’s fed up with new taxes and spending, the longtime Libertarian is launching a campaign for the state Senate, and drawing inspiration from the most libertarian of national Republican politicians. “I’m a Ron Paul Republican,” says Thompson. “I think the people who know who Dr. Ron Paul is will understand that quite clearly.”
So how would that brand of Paulite Republicanism play out if Thompson were in the Senate? Again, he says it’s all about the taxing and spending. “Don’t come to me with any new programs, unless you plan on eliminating one of the old ones,” says the Tomah mayor. “There’s just not the revenue to do it, and to think that we can fund something new, it’s ridiculous.”
While some Republicans may still blame him for the party’s loss of the governor’s office in 2002, the Thompson expects his support from the GOP to be “pretty strong.” Assuming no other candidates enter the race, Thompson will face Alma Democrat Kathleen Vinehout for the 31st District Senate in southwest Wisconsin. In a press release, Vinehout welcomed Thompson to the race and hoped he’d move past familiar talking points from state Republican leaders and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Thompson says he’s an independent thinker.