Ed Thompson for State Senate » Press Release

Thompson to Face Vinehout With no Primary Challenge

sue — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:15:20 +0000

(Tomah) … It’s official. With no challenges to the nomination papers, Republican challenger Ed Thompson will face off against incumbent state senator Kathleen Vinehout on November 2. Neither candidate faces a primary challenge and no independent or third party candidates filed for that seat.

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NOTE: Please keep attached photo in your files for reproduction as needed.

For more information, contact media@edthompson.com or call (608) 343-9444.

Paid for by Friends for Ed Thompson, Art Thompson, Treasurer

Supreme Court Ruling Begins Correcting Irresponsible Budget Vote

sue — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:56:09 +0000

Vinehout violated Wisconsin Constitution to raid $200 Million!

(Tomah, WI)… Today the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that the legislature’s raid of the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund (IPFCF) was unconstitutional. State Senate candidate Ed Thompson pointed out that “the raid was supported by incumbent Senator Kathleen Vinehout when she voted for its inclusion in the budget.” The state must now pay back the $200 million plus interest.

Thompson also stated, “This ruling should not be a surprise. It underscores what I’ve been talking about in this campaign, the fiscal irresponsibility of our legislators in Madison. In making its ruling, our state Supreme Court not only honored our state Constitution, but they helped to hold down the costs of medical attention and insurance for our people.”

There were warnings when the idea was first proposed that the seizure went against the Constitution. The IPFCF is funded entirely by contributions from doctors and hospitals. Up until the raid left the fund in the red, it had an outstanding track-record of stabilizing medical malpractice premiums while ensuring payments to sick and injured patients and their families.

Thompson added, “My opponent believed so strongly in this highly questionable approach to budgeting that she voted for it not once but twice. When an amendment to remove the IPFCF raid was offered to take it out of the larger budget bill, she helped block a vote on that amendment. Then she voted to approve the money grab on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 7:40 p.m.”

“If elected,” Thompson said, “I have committed to asking three questions of every piece of legislation presented to me in the Senate: Is it Constitutional? How much is it going to cost? And where is the money going to come from? This raid by the legislature obviously failed to pass the very first question.”

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Thompson Exceeds Petition Requirements

sue — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:51:08 +0000

Shows Campaigning in Every County

(Madison) … Ed Thompson, candidate for the State Senate from the 31st District, today filed nomination papers containing nearly 1,000 signatures from people within the western district. Thompson gathered ballot access signatures from voters in Buffalo, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, and Trempealeau counties – every county that falls all or partially within the district. Through the last couple of months he has appeared at more than 100 events, cris-crossing the district and even marching in three Independence Day parades. Only 400 valid signatures were required, but Thompson’s campaign has been in high gear for the last several months.

“I’m excited by the genuinely warm reception I’m receiving from the folks in every corner of the district,” said Thompson as he turned in his petitions. “Our message about creating jobs by lowering spending and reducing taxes is resonating with the people of the district,” he added.

Thompson owns the Tee Pee Supper Club in Tomah. He’s been elected to the city council there and twice elected to serve as Mayor, stepping down at the end of his term in April to make his bid for the State Senate.

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For more information, contact media@edthompson.com or call (608) 343-9444.

Ed Thompson Steps Down As Mayor, Steps Up Senate Campaign

sue — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:23:48 +0000

(Tomah, Wisconsin) — State Senate candidate Ed Thompson made the following statement upon the completion today of his term as Mayor of Tomah.

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“I have loved serving as Mayor of Tomah over the last two years. The city council, volunteer committees, city employees, and Tomah residents have been my pleasure to work with and serve. As Mayor, I fought successfully during tough economic times for Tomah to reduce business and residential property tax rates while maintaining important community services. I even vetoed a budget to ensure that tax rates decreased. I know the last thing people struggling to make ends meet need is higher taxes. Tomah’s frugal policies have helped bring new jobs into the city in contrast to the large statewide loss of jobs.

“While I worked hard to lower taxes, limit spending, and attract jobs to my city, the politicians in Madison were raising taxes, increasing spending by billions of dollars, burdening Wisconsinites with massive debt, and causing jobs to flee our state. My own State Senator, Kathleen Vinehout, voted with the majority of Madison politicians to impose huge tax and debt burdens on struggling retirees, workers, and small businesses. I am running for State Senate to offer a clear choice between Senator Vinehout’s support for massive tax and spending increases and my pledge to oppose tax and fee increases and to introduce and support significant reductions in Wisconsin taxes, fees, and wasteful spending. This is a pledge I have made and kept as Mayor of Tomah.

“I decided not to seek a second term as Tomah Mayor so I could campaign non-stop over the next 196 days until election day. I plan to drive the highways and country roads of our district to meet with every potential voter I can and offer them the opportunity to put a principled voice for common sense, liberty, and smaller government in the State Senate.”

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Thompson will make campaign stops today in Altoona, Eau Claire, Tomah, and other communities in the 31st State Senate district.

Before serving his 2008-2010 term as Mayor of Tomah, Thompson also served a 2000-2002 mayoral term during which he cut expenses by 13%, eliminated a $4 million debt without raising taxes, and improved services to the community.

For more information, contact media@edthompson.com or call (608) 343-9444.

Thompson Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge

gary — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:05:53 +0000

(UW-Eau Claire)… Surrounded by the young people whose financial future he hopes to
protect, State Senate candidate Ed Thompson reaffirmed his pledge to vote against
higher taxes. By signing the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) “Taxpayer Protection
Pledge” he committed to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase
taxes.” Thompson was joined at the pledge signing by ATR Founder and President
Grover Norquist, UW-Eau Claire College Republicans and the local chapter of the
Campaign for Liberty.

“I publicly signed the pledge to demonstrate my continued promise to fight for
Wisconsin taxpayers,” said Thompson. “I will never waver from my priorities of
stopping tax increases, working to grow jobs, and reducing the size of government.”

ATR was founded in 1985 at the request of President Ronald Reagan to champion the
belief that taxes should be simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today.
The Taxpayer Protection Pledge, ATR’s flagship project, is offered to every candidate
and incumbent state office holder.

“I would like to thank Mr. Norquist for flying in from Washington, D.C. to join me at the
pledge signing.” Thompson continued, “The Madison politicians have clearly turned
their back on taxpayers with ballooning budgets and billions in new taxes. That’s why
I’m pledging to vote against the out of control taxing and spending.”

Ed Thompson is the owner of Mr. Ed’s Tee Pee Supper Club and Mayor of Tomah. In his
first term as mayor, he cut city expenses by 13%, eliminated a $4 million debt without
raising taxes, and improved services to the community. Thompson is running against
incumbent Kathleen Vinehout for the 31st Senate District.

Ed Thompson To Sign No Tax Pledge

sue — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:45:00 +0000

Event Date: March 11, 2010; 4:30 p.m.

Event Place: UW Eau Claire Davies Center, Alumni Room

Attendance: Public & Press Welcome

State Senate candidate Ed Thompson will be signing the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” on Thursday, March 11 at UW-Eau Claire. Candidates who sign the pledge promise to “oppose and
vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” ATR Founder and President Grover Norquist will join Thompson at the event.

The pledge demonstrates Thompson’s on-going commitment to fight for taxpayers; stopping tax increases, working to grow jobs, and reducing the size of government.

The UW-Eau Claire College Republicans, along with the local chapter of the Campaign for Liberty, will host the event.

ATR was founded in 1985 at the request of President Reagan to champion the belief that taxes should be simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The Taxpayer Protection Pledge, ATR’s flagship project, is offered to every candidate for state office and to all incumbents.

Thompson also signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in 2002 during his race for Governor.

Thompson is the owner of Mr. Ed’s Tee Pee Supper Club and Mayor of Tomah. In his first term as mayor, Thompson cut city expenses by 13%, eliminated a $4 million debt without raising taxes, and improved services to the community.

For more information, contact media@edthomspon.com, or call (608) 343-9444.

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Ed Thompson and Senate Republican Leader Tour District Employers

gary — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:43:14 +0000

(Tomah) State Senate Candidate Ed Thompson today will be joined by Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald on tours of several employers in Senate District 31.

“Yesterday, I had a great tour of the Ocean Spray Cranberry production plant in Tomah. I saw many friends working there. I am looking forward to bringing Senator Fitzgerald with me today on my tours of more businesses. Keeping good jobs in Wisconsin is a top reason I decided to run for State Senate. These tours will give me vital information I can use in the State Senate to preserve the jobs we have and build new work opportunities.”

Thompson and Fitzgerald’s schedule follows:

10:00 a.m., Tomah: Walmart Distribution Center.

1:30 p.m., Sparta: Preferred Distributors (a beverage distribution company formed in a recent merger of Hellman Distributors, C&H Inc., and Trausch Distributing.)

3:00 p.m., Sparta: Croell Redi-Mix, Inc.

4:30 p.m., Tomah: Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home

For more information about the schedule and to arrange media interviews, please contact the Ed Thompson for State Senate campaign at (608) 343-9444 or media@edthompson.com.

Ed Thompson Unveils Comprehensive Senate Campaign Website

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:59:18 +0000

(Tomah, Wisconsin) — The Ed Thompson State Senate campaign took a leap forward today with the unveiling of a dynamic website to serve as a two-way communication center through election day. The site, www.EdThompson.com, is now active and ready for an election that promises to be one of the most exciting grassroots efforts in Wisconsin history.

“My goal is to give the people of this district as many ways to be in touch with me as possible,” Thompson said. “The website will be a vehicle for people to get involved and stay up to date with all the activities of my campaign.”

The new website expands on Thompson’s key issues and provides volunteer, contact, and donation information. The website also includes links to Thompson’s social networking pages on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Press releases, news, event listings, videos, and photographs will be regularly updated throughout the campaign. A biography of Thompson’s life follows his history from working in the family grocery store, to competing in Golden Gloves boxing, to owning a local supper club.

Ed Thompson is the mayor of Tomah and owner of Mr. Ed’s Tee-Pee Supper Club. In his first term as mayor, Thompson cut city expenses by 13%, eliminated a $4 million debt without raising taxes, and improved services to the community. Thompson is known for his fierce independence and maverick style. He has four children, eight grandchildren, and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Ed Thompson Announces Candidacy for 31st Senate District

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:19:23 +0000

(Tomah, WI) Expressing concern that state government is hampering job creation and failing to protect seniors in a down economy, Ed Thompson announced he will run as a Republican against incumbent Kathleen Vinehout for the 31st State Senate district. The 31st State Senate district includes all of Trempeauleau, Buffalo, Jackson and Pepin counties and parts of Monroe, Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, and Clark Counties.

“I cannot sit idly by while Madison turns this state’s economy upside down. People are losing their jobs and struggling to get by, while the response from Madison has been to raise our taxes,” said Thompson. “The economy is already bad, but Madison is making things worse. The solution is clear; government must get out of the way of progress by reducing taxes on working families and the people who provide jobs.”

Wisconsin dropped five spots to become the third worst state in the nation in which to do business according to Forbes Magazine, demonstrating Wisconsin’s worsening job climate. Meanwhile the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance analysis shows that, due to recent tax increases, our state may rise to the sixth highest-taxed state in the nation, up from 11th highest. Wisconsin also has the ninth highest property taxes, making it difficult for struggling families and seniors on a fixed income to stay in their homes.

This year alone the Legislature passed over $5 billion in new taxes and fees on families and businesses to pay for a 6.8% increase in government spending. Taxpayers will pay more for property taxes, phone taxes, garbage taxes, health care taxes, capital gains taxes, income taxes, and car insurance. Massive new taxes on Wisconsin employers are forcing them to cut costs and jobs. Companies like Briggs & Stratton and Harley Davidson are cutting jobs in Wisconsin while expanding jobs in other states.

“My priorities will be to make Wisconsin a welcoming place for job creation, to stop tax increases in their tracks, to improve our rural economy and to ensure seniors can retire without the fear of financial ruin,” said Thompson. “I pledge to be an independent, common-sense legislator who will fight for smaller, more responsible government that works for the people, not a big-spending government that taxes people out of their jobs, businesses, and homes.”

Ed Thompson is the mayor of Tomah and owner of Mr. Ed’s Tee-Pee Supper Club. In his first term as mayor, Thompson cut city expenses by 13%, eliminated a $4 million debt without raising taxes and improved services to the community. Known for his fierce independence and maverick style, Thompson ran for Governor as a Libertarian in 2002. Thompson has four children, eight grandchildren, and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.