Thompson, Tommy G (1941– )

US Republican politician, health and human services secretary from 2001. As governor of Wisconsin for the previous 14 years, he introduced innovative welfare reforms, including expanding access to health care for those on low incomes. The ‘Wisconsin Works’ welfare-to-work initiative, launched in 1996, provided a safety net of child care, health care, transport, and training assistance to ease the transition to work. Thompson also created the country's first parental school choice programme in 1990, allowing low-income Milwaukee families to send children to the private or public school of their choice.

Born in Elroy, Wisconsin, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Thompson was elected in 1966 a representative to the Wisconsin assembly. He became the opposition (minority) leader in the assembly in 1981.