Tommy Thompson Staff, Supporters Back on the Market

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson is a man of his word. Just before the Ames Straw Poll he told the press that a poor showing would prompt him to re-think his run for the nation’s highest office. Tonight, roughly 24 hours after placing sixth while garnering just over 7 percent of the votes, the Republican is bowing out.

“I want to thank the people of Iowa who were welcoming and supportive as well as my volunteers and contributors from around the country,” Thompson said in a written statement. He also said he had “no regrets.”

While Thompson did not have as large a campaign presence in Iowa as some of the better-known and better-financed candidates, he did have both staff and supporters who now find themselves without a political home.

Looking at staffers, recent Iowa State University graduate Alyssa Staley was the person to first hold a paid campaign position for Thompson in Iowa. She first served as chairwoman for his campaign at ISU and then as a field organizer.

Also serving as field organizers were former president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women Gwen Ecklund, current ISU College Republicans Executive Director Jordan Navara, Jeanita McNulty, Marlys Grant and Tom Erb.

Additional members of the Iowa staff are Campaign Manager Chad Olsen (former political director for Forbes 2000), Events Coordinator Bobby Kaufmann (son of Iowa Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Kaufmann), Deputy Political Director Chris Coffman (primarily in charge of field), Deputy Political Director Dan Romportl (primarily in charge of operations), Communications Director Rennick Remply and Deputy Communications Director Danielle Chapwick.

There are also some key Iowa supporters who will now become available for “wooing” by other campaigns. Chief among these are former state Rep. Bill Dix, who led Thompson’s exploratory committee; former Iowa speaker of the House and Cedar Rapids Area Chamber head Ron Corbett; and former state representative Steve Grubbs. Dix led Thompson’s exploratory committee while both Corbett and Grubbs served as senior advisers for the campaign.

In addition, former Gov. Terry Branstad’s state chair, Charlotte Mohr, served as honorary state chair for Thompson’s exploratory committee. Brian Dumas of Victory Enterprises also served on the exploratory committee.

If there was one area where the Thompson campaign had organized well, it was on college and university campuses. In addition to Staley, there were 13 additional campus chairs for Thompson. Amanda Mordhorst served as chairwoman at Buena Vista University. Dane Nealson served at Iowa Wesleyan College. Jeff Butler was chairman at Drake University. John Anderson served as chairman at Muscatine Community College. Lauren Engling served at Loras College. Logan Teut was chairman at Briar Cliff College. Matt Horhan served at the University of Northern Iowa. Mike Bell was chairman at Kirkwood Community College. Nate Kroeger served as chairman at St. Ambrose University. Pete Olsen served at Morningside College. Rachel Scott was chairwoman at the University of Iowa. Rich Palmer was chairman at William Penn University. Tianna Mentink served at Northwestern College.

While at the time of this writing, no staff or supporters had made announcement of their intent to move to another candidate, experienced staff and well-known supporters rarely remain unattached for long.