Tommy Thompson (R-WI)
The former Wisconsin governor is the most prominent advocate of ethanol from all the Presidential candidates. He’s been a supporter of ethanol “far before it [became] fashionable” as he is far from a flip-flopper on this issue. In 1991, he became the co-founder of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition (http://www.ethanol-gec.org/pub.htm), an organization dedicated to increasing the use of ethanol-based fuels. In 2000, Thompson signed a bill to catalyze ethanol production in Wisconsin by implementing a state subsidy. Thompson is also a key partner of Global Renewable, LLC, a company which focuses on bio-ethanol production. Thompson and Co. have unveiled plans to build and operate a $195 million ethanol plant, which is expected to produce 120 MGPY by 2008. The corn belt voters will be on his side.