ED THOMPSON STARTING HIS RUN FOR WISCONSIN GOVERNOR

ASHWAUBENON - In a 10-minute airport news conference that left little time
for questions, Tomah Mayor Ed Thompson kicked off his campaign for governor
in 2002.

"I've been in the ring before," the former boxer said at Austin Straubel
International Airport. "It's going to be the fight of my life."

His schedule Thursday called for eight stops in 12 hours beginning at the
State Capitol at 8 a.m. followed by visits at airports in Milwaukee,
Ashwaubenon, Wausau, Superior and Eau Claire and a rally at a Sparta supper
club in the evening.

Thompson, 56, who operates Mr. Ed's Tee Pee Supper Club in Tomah, is
running on the Libertarian ticket.

He said he represents the common sense of a working man. "My approach is
not that of a career politician," he said.

Name recognition certainly won't hurt.

His older brother, Tommy, held the job for 14 years before joining the Bush
administration as U.S. health and human services secretary.

But he said his brother does not support his candidacy.

"He'd rather I didn't do it," Ed Thompson said. "He's a career politician."

Ed Thompson said he was inspired by the third-party campaign that elected
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura.

He's raised $83,000 so far, mostly from blue-collar contributors.

Libertarian members nationwide have donated about $30,000 of that amount.

Ed Thompson outlined four campaign issues:

. Cut spending and taxes. Wisconsin has the third-highest taxes in the nation.

That's driving out companies and jobs with them, he said.

. Bring common sense to the statehouse.

"I know how important it is to live within your means," he said.

. Toughen up on violent crime and reform the criminal justice system. "The
basic role of government is to protect its citizens," he said.

Nonviolent offenders - including many drug violators - do not belong in
prison, he said. Thompson supports decriminalizing marijuana.

. Increase local and parental control over education.

Thompson wants the Milwaukee school choice pilot program expanded statewide.

Republican Gov. Scott McCallum, who took over the job from Tommy Thompson,
is expected to seek election.

Those campaigning for the Democratic nomination include Attorney General
Jim Doyle, U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett of Milwaukee, Dane County Executive
Kathleen Falk and state Sen. Gary George of Milwaukee.