Candidate profile Governor: Jill Long Thompson

GOVERNOR

Jill Long Thompson (D)

Age: 56

Education:  B.S. in business from Valparaiso University (’74); M.B.A. from IU (’78); Ph.D. in business from IU (’84)

Experience: U.S. House of Representatives, Indiana’s 4th Congressional District (1989-95); U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture (1995-2001); CEO and senior fellow, National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy; fellow at the Institute of Politics in the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Mark E. Johnston Chair of Entrepreneurship at Manchester College; adjunct professor, IU-South Bend; adjunct professor, IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne; assistant professor, Valparaiso University; lecturer, IU-Bloomington

Web site: www.hoosiersforjill.com 

Top Priorities if elected: “We need to get our economy moving again. Since last summer, 64,000 Hoosiers have lost their jobs. In fact, Indiana is shedding jobs faster than 45 other states. We must stop this bleeding, but to do that Indiana needs new priorities, new leadership and a new direction. My comprehensive economic recovery plan will help put Indiana back on track. My “One Indiana Plan” calls for reforming our antiquated tax structure, transforming our health care policy, strengthening our education system and encouraging the creation of good-paying jobs that offer real benefits in all 92 counties across the state.”      


Why you are running? “We need change in Indiana: change in our economy, change in our education system, change in our health care system and change in leadership. I am running for governor because we need to put policies in place that will reignite our economy, create jobs with good wages and benefits, get property taxes under control, increase access to affordable health care, bring our graduation rate up and measure progress by what matters most to Hoosier families. I believe I have the experience and ideas to get our state back on track and lead us down a more sustainable and prosperous path.