Thompson touts experience in Senate bid

Associated Press

Updated: Jul 18, 2012 1:04 PM

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson says his strong political experience makes him the U.S. Senate candidate with the best chance to win this fall.

Thompson faces three other Republican candidates in a primary next month. The winner takes on Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin in November.

Thompson served as Wisconsin's governor for 14 years and also secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

At a candidate forum Wednesday in Milwaukee, he said that his unmatched experience means he could go to Washington and get to work right away on extending tax cuts and repealing health care reform, whereas his rivals would still be looking for the restroom.

A poll released last week showed Thompson leading the Republican field with 35 percent support. Hedge-fund manager Eric Hovde was second at 23 percent.

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