Wisconsin Restaurant Association Supports Tommy Thompson for U.S. Senate

MADISON - At a press conference at the state Capitol on July 27, 2012, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association announced its endorsement of Tommy Thompson for U.S. Senate.

“There are a lot of great candidates in the running for this seat, but our board of directors voted overwhelmingly to endorse Tommy Thompson as the best candidate for the small businesses that make up the restaurant industry” said Ed Lump, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

“Tommy Thompson’s experience, strong work ethic, common sense and political clout make him the right person for the job at this critical juncture in our nation’s history,” Lump added. “With so many problems that need solving right now in Washington, we really need a senator who can hit the ground running. Governor Thompson’s experience as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services will make him a natural leader in finding a patient-driven solution to health care reform that won’t break the backs of employers.”

“If anyone can figure out how to fix the health care crisis, Tommy can,” said WRA Board Chairman Lynn McDonough, of Eau Claire. “He reformed welfare in Wisconsin in the 1990’s, and the whole rest of the country followed his lead. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Washington these days.”

The WRA board of directors voted to endorse Tommy Thompson most recently on June 26, 2012 at their quarterly board meeting. However, WRA’s support of Thompson goes all the way back to 1986, when they were the first major trade association to come out in support of Thompson in his first run for governor.

“Governor Thompson was always a strong advocate for tourism and the hospitality industry,” Lump said. “He promoted Wisconsin everywhere he went, and he recognized that tourism was one of the top three industries in Wisconsin, right up there with manufacturing and agriculture.”

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association represents the 13,000 foodservice establishments in Wisconsin and related businesses. The industry employs one out of every 10 workers in the state, more than any other private-sector industry.

Contact: Pete Hanson, VP of Public Affairs - 608.270.9950

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Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the promotion, protection and improvement of the foodservice industry.