BLAIR – Tomah’s mayor and long-time business owner Ed Thompson is running for Sen. Kathleen Vinehout’s seat in the November election.
The 65-year-old brother to former Governor Tommy Thompson is currently the only Republican seeking the post.
Ed Thompson owns the TeePee Supper Club in Tomah, which he has operated for 20 years.
He’s running because he’s “completely dissatisfied with what’s happening with our state budget,” he said in an interview with The Blair Press on Thursday.
“We’re legislating on [the verge] of bankruptcy,” he said.
Thompson noted that the state has a $62 billion budget for its 4 million residents.
“They (state lawmakers) continue to raise taxes – that’s not the answer.”
He noted that the state collects much more in sales and income taxes for rural counties like Trempealeau County, and little comes back.
“Rural Wisconsin is getting sick of supporting big cities,’ he said.
The Republican has signed a pledge not to vote for any legislation to raise taxes in any way.
“I guess my strongest belief is if you’re going to come to me with a new program, (then what program) are you going to eliminate?”
On the issue of school funding, he said the property tax rates are at their limits – there has to be another way to help fund schools.
He also noted that the Legislature continues to send unfunded mandates to local governments.
“That’s what I see going on in Madison that’s wrong,” he said.
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