Advertisement
Thompson, now secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was in La Crosse on Monday afternoon to tour Skipperliner Marine Group's new headquarters on French Island and announce his endorsement of Dan Kapanke for state Senate.
"In Wisconsin, I'm happy to say, we have the attitude of working together," Thompson said, noting the $10 million Skipperliner manufacturing, marina and restaurant complex stemmed from a partnership between the owners, the town of Campbell and the state.
"In Washington, D.C., there is a ‘gotcha' attitude," Thompson said. "I think they eat grapefruit and suck lemons all day."
Thompson praised Noel Jordan, Skipperliner president, for "having a dream."
"We need dreamers, visionaries and do-ers," he said.
Thompson has said he plans to resign his position and return to Wisconsin.
"I've already told the president, but federal law says I can't start looking for a job yet," he said. "I'm hoping someone will hire me."
Asked if he would return to state politics, Thompson said with a laugh that maybe he would run for mayor of Elroy, Wis., his hometown.
"I'm too young, too active and too involved not to be involved," he added.
Kapanke, a Republican and town of Campbell chairman, is running for the 32nd State Senate District seat against Brad Pfaff, a Democrat from Onalaska and former aide to U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse.
Linda McAlpine can be reached at (608) 791-8220 or lmcalpine@lacrossetribune.com.
