Thompson Kicks Off Campaign by Headlining Fundraiser at DC Lobbying Firm
MADISON – As reports surface that “lots of people in Washington” are pushing Tommy Thompson (R-DC) into the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, a new report out today by Wispolitics.com says Thompson will headline a fundraiser May 12, with D.C. lobbyists, at Washington’s most elite, GOP lobbying firm – Barbour, Griffith & Rogers. The fundraiser is billed as reception for the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
“The first thing Tommy Thompson does is headline a fundraiser at a Washington D.C. lobbying shop,” said Mike Tate, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “It’s not surprising. Where else would a D.C. insider kick off his campaign?”
Bob Wood, a former Thompson operative and current President of the lobbying firm, Barbour, Griffith & Rogers, is hosting the fundraiser. Wood has registered websites for Thompson’s campaign. Barbour, Griffith & Rogers lobbies on behalf of special interests such as health insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
Last weekend, another health insurance company lobbyist, Bill McCoshen, said they are planning to set up an exploratory committee by the end of the month and that he expects Thompson to announce his candidacy at the Republican convention in May. An exploratory committee would allow Thompson to raise money from many of the corporate interests he represents. Last week, Politico reported that Thompson has already collected over $200,000 in pledges from donors.
Thompson has spent the last five years as a Washington D.C. insider who has made millions of dollars working on behalf of special interests – including health insurance and pharmaceutical companies and the finance industry. Thompson recently told the media on camera he doesn’t know how many corporate interests he works for. He has refused to release his current list of clients.
