WISCREPORT.COM (10/12/07) - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee says former Republican Presidential candidate and Wisconsin Governor, Tommy Thompson, has endorsed Mayor Giuliani for President. Thompson will serve as National Co-Chair of the Mayor’s campaign. Thompson served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush after resigning in his historic fourth term as Wisconsin Governor.

The official statement from the Giuliani camp suggests that as National Co-Chair, Thompson will help promote Rudy’s record of results and leadership as Mayor of New York City, while talking about what the Giuliani supporters say is the Mayor’s bold vision for America.

"Rudy Giuliani has shown that he is a true leader. He is America’s Mayor and during a period of time of great stress for this country he showed tremendous leadership,” said Governor Thompson. “He can and will win the nomination and the Presidency of the United States," former Wisconsin Governor Thompson says.

"I’m honored to have the endorsement and support of Governor Tommy Thompson,” said Mayor Giuliani. “He is a strong conservative with a record of achieving fiscal discipline, implementing tort reform, and bringing about innovation in government."

"Governor Thompson gave leadership to the Department of Health and Human Services during a period of great crisis, and his expertise in this area is invaluable. I’m honored to have his support and I look forward to learning from his experience and leadership," the Republican poll leader Giuliani said.

Governor Thompson was elected to four terms as Wisconsin Governor, beginning in 1986 and serving until his appointment as President George W. Bush’s Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2001. He served in that capacity until 2005.

As Wisconsin Governor, Thompson is best known for his efforts to revitalize the state’s economy and for his national leadership on welfare reform. Thompson served as the nation’s leading advocate for the health and welfare of all Americans as head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Governor Thompson has been recognized for his commitment to public service, including being named Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year. He is a former chairman of the National Governors’ Association, the Education Commission of the States and the Midwestern Governors’ Conference.

Governor Thompson’s long public service career began when he won a seat in Wisconsin’s state Assembly in 1966, which included service as Assembly Minority Leader. He received both his B.S. and J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tommy Thompson resigned his position as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services after serving during the first term of President George W. Bush. Wisconsin's former governor jumped into the 2008 Presidential Race himself this year before pulling out after he discovered he wasn't receiving the monetary support he had hoped for.