Wisconsin's Governors

Tommy Thompson, the 42nd governor of Wisconsin, was born on November 19, 1941 in Elroy. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1963 Thompson entered law school, receiving his degree in 1966. That same year, Thompson was elected to the state Assembly where he remained until 1986 when he was elected governor. He became Wisconsin's longest-serving governor during his third term in office, surpassing Gov. Jeremiah Rusk who served from 1882 until 1889. Thompson left the governor's office in February 2001 when he was appointed the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by President George W. Bush.