In a strategic move to appeal to Wisconsin’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community, former Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson hit the campaign trail dressed in a 1960s bedtime nightie he found in his Aunt Ethel’s closet.
Earlier this month, Brian Nemoir, Thompson’s aide, tweeted a video of openly gay Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin at a gay pride event with a caption criticizing her for her sexual orientation.
Although five days later Thompson apologized and said the slip did not represent his campaign, polls showed he lost favor among many demographics. So he is going to “take matters into his own hands,” according to a statement that he later apologized for.
“I love the gays!” said Thompson at a press conference in front of the Capitol Thursday. “And I just want them to love me, too!”
Later Thursday night, Thompson was seen at Madison’s Plan B, slyly slipping a twenty-dollar bill into the pants pocket of an unsuspecting male patron. Thompson then winked at the man, but the patron did not wink back, and instead walked to the other corner of the room.
Political science professor Barry Burden said maybe Thompson has gone too far.
“Thompson is slipping in the polls, and I understand why he is doing what he’s doing, but it seems like he is trying a little too hard,” Burden said. “Many candidates reach out to different groups like the LGBT community through canvassing efforts and speech appearances. Thompson is just wearing a dress.”
