Tommy Thompson: Avid Bikers

Posted 10/25/2006

Branscombe Richmond and his wife join Lakota Chief in honoring Tommy
Thompson during Thompson's induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in
Sturgis in 2002.



On October 13, 2006, Tommy Thompson discussed his candidacy for President
with Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo. Pictured, left to right, Preacher, Free Riders Press,
Senator Dave Zien, Tommy Thompson and Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo.


Tommy Thompson served as Wisconsin’s Governor for 14 years, longer than any governor before him. He is best known for his reforms on Welfare, expanded accessibility to health care for low income people and his work on strengthening education excellence in Wisconsin. He also served as Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Bush Administration, running a department with a fiscal budget of over $429 billion and 60,000 employees.

The bikers in Wisconsin know him best for his support of our issues, including his public statement that we do not need a mandatory helmet law here. He is also known for promoting tourism and business in Wisconsin from the seat of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He did this during his annual Governor’s Ride tours, which have continued even after he left to serve as Secretary of HHS. Thompson was inducted into the Easyriders Magazine Hall of Fame because of his staunch support of biker’s rights, and in 2002, he was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame for many of the same reasons including promoting motorcycling as a way of life.


Vicki and Tony Sanfelipo pose with ring bearer, Zachary Edgerton, Senator
Dave Zien (Best Man) and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy
Thompson, after their wedding on top of Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota,
June 21, 2002.

During the governor’s ride in June, 2006, Thompson discussed his desire to explore the possibility of running for president with Head Road Captain, Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo. Sanfelipo, Founder of ABATE of Wisconsin, and Thompson have been friends for many years. In fact, Thompson walked Tony’s wife down the aisle during their wedding on top of Crazy Horse Memorial, in South Dakota. Tony "Pan" is working on taking the Governor’s Ride to Iowa in 2007. "We usually have 150-200 bikes on this annual ride, but with Thompson seeking the highest office in the land, we may hear from many more people who want to participate," Sanfelipo said.

In any event, having somebody who rides and understands what bikers are all about would be great for a change. The threat of a national helmet law from the likes of Senator Lautenberg, New Jersey, would have its own veto pen on stand-by. Here is a chance for the motorcyclists of America to speak out and flex some political muscle.

Is there a President’s Ride looming in the future?

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