After serving as a member of the Bush administration's Cabinet and four terms as Wisconsin governor, Tommy Thompson joined the crowded field to keep the White House's Oval Office in Republican hands in 2008.

Thompson, who currently works for a Washington law firm and consulting practice, served as secretary of Health and Human Services in President George W. Bush's administration before leaving in 2005.

Prior to that, Thompson was governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, longer than anyone in history. During his time as governor, Thompson was actively involved in welfare reform, which culminated in "Wisconsin Works," a welfare-to-work program that ultimately served as a national model. The program provided social services and assistance while requiring its participants to work.

He also created the first school choice program in 1990 and started BadgerCare, a program to extend health insurance to low-income children and families who previously did not qualify for assistance.

Thompson began his political career in Wisconsin's State Assembly from 1966 to 1973.
Currently chairman of the board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Thompson is expected to campaign on health care issues.

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