Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson told WTMJ Radio Monday he has filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis.
Even though Thompson has not officially announced his candidacy, he has created a campaign website and announced to members of his campaign staff. He will officially announce within the next two weeks.
Thompson will face former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann for the Republican nomination and may campaign against U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, the only Democrat to have officially declared.
On WTMJ Radio, Thompson criticized President Barack Obama's fiscal policies.
""[Obama] is addicted to spending and taxes, and if you look at my record, I cut taxes 91 times and created jobs,"" Thompson said.
Thompson said he changed Wisconsin from a ""blue to a purple state,"" calling himself the ""original conservative.""
During his four-term tenure as Wisconsin governor from 1987 to 2001, Thompson reformed Wisconsin's welfare program with the Wisconsin Works program, and created the BadgerCare and FamilyCare programs.
Thompson then worked as secretary of the Department of Human Health and Services under President George W. Bush, where he reformed a federal welfare program.
Thompson already faces criticism from both sides of the aisle about running for U.S. Senate.
National conservative group Club for Growth began running ads against Thompson, questioning his stance on tax rates and the 2010 health care reform law in the last couple weeks. Club for Growth is supporting Neumann in the Republican primary.
After receiving a negative response from his own party, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin also criticized Thompson.
""Thompson has been too busy taking lobbying cash from Big Oil and Wall Street to stand up to the divisive, anti-Wisconsin agenda of Paul Ryan and Scott Walker,"" DPW Chairman Mike Tate said in a statement.
Political Science Professor Kenneth Mayer said he thinks moderate Thompson may have an advantage over more conservative Neumann and liberal Baldwin, who has been ranked as one of the most liberal members of Congress by the National Journal.
Mayer said Baldwin running against an extreme conservative like Neumann might have worked towards her advantage but a ""centrist candidate like Thompson makes the road much tougher for her.""
