Jill L. Long
Encyclopedia
Jill Lynette Long Thompson (born July 15, 1952) is an American politician and educator. Born in Warsaw
, Indiana, she was raised on a family farm outside of Larwill, Indiana
, in Whitley County
. She was the Democratic Party
candidate in the 2008 election for governor of Indiana
and was the first woman in Indiana history to be nominated for governor by a major party.
She lives with her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, in Marshall County on a farm near Argos, Indiana
, where they planted 2,000 trees in two days as a symbol of their love.
. Jill Long Thompson was the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned an M.B.A. (1978) and PhD (1984) in Business from Indiana University
, and a B.S. in Business from Valparaiso University
(1974).
, where she worked between 1981 and 1988. She also served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne between 1987 and 1989. During the 2002–2003 academic year Long-Thompson was an adjunct faculty member at Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana
.
, city council. She served in that post from 1984 to 1986. Long ran an unsuccessful campaign for the United States Senate in 1986. Long received 38.9% of the vote, losing to future vice president Dan Quayle
(61.1%). Two years later (1988) she ran as a candidate for Indiana's 4th Congressional District
. Long Thompson received 37.8% of the vote, losing to Dan Coats
(62.2%).
With the appointment of Dan Coats
to the Senate in 1988, Long was elected as a Democrat in a special election to fill the vacancy. Long Thompson's first election to Congress in 1989 made national headlines because Indiana's 4th congressional district was considered a safe Republican seat, once held by then Vice President Quayle. Long Thompson, then known as Jill Long, easily won re-election in 1990 and 1992 despite being a top Republican target for defeat. She ran for reelection in 1994 but lost to Mark Souder
as one of many Democrats to lose a seat in Congress as part of a Republican sweep that brought the Republican Party into majority status for the first time since 1954.
In 1995, Long was appointed by President Bill Clinton
as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture
, where she served until 2001 with the start of the George W. Bush
administration. As Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, Long Thompson managed 7,000 employees and a $10 billion budget, which funded rural housing, cooperative, water/waste, and business programs. Among her accomplishments as Under Secretary were reforming the single-family loan program, helping create thousands of jobs in economically challenged communities, and improving the efficiency of the Department.
In 2002, she attempted a political comeback when she ran for the open congressional seat in the 2nd District, but lost 50%–46% to Chris Chocola
.
endorsed her campaign. By February 25, 2008, the campaign had announced the endorsements of several leading labor unions including United Steelworkers, United Transportation Union, Service Employees International Union, Communication Workers of America, and the Local No. 446 of Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees. She defeated Indianapolis
architect Jim Schellinger
in the May 6, 2008 Democratic primary by 13,000 votes or less than 1 percent.
She made reforming state government, accountability, and making larger investments in vocational education the focal points of her campaign. As a candidate, she proposed campaign finance laws to prohibit businesses that are working with, or soliciting work from, state or local governments from donating to political campaigns while they are under contract and for two years following the conclusion of their work, and include regulations for lobbyists to report all expenditures, including meals, made to state government employees.
In Thompson's bid for Indiana governor, polling showed her lagging far behind her opponent Mitch Daniels
. On Election Night, Daniels was declared the winner and Thompson conceded the race.
Thompson's margin of loss of 40.1% to Daniels's 57.8% was the largest in an Indiana Gubernatorial election since 1992.
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
. She most recently served as CEO and Senior Fellow at the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy.
In October 2009 she was nominated by President Barack Obama
to the board that oversees the federal Farm Credit Administration
. The nomination was pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate when Obama installed Thompson on the board by recess appointment
on March 27, 2010. The Senate finally confirmed her outright to the Farm Credit Administration on September 16, 2010.
Warsaw, Indiana
Warsaw is a city in and the county seat of Kosciusko County, Indiana, United States. Cradled among Winona Lake, Pike Lake, Hidden Lake and Center Lake, Warsaw is nicknamed "Lake City," though other cities in the surrounding area are also referred to by that nickname...
, Indiana, she was raised on a family farm outside of Larwill, Indiana
Larwill, Indiana
Larwill is a town in Richland Township, Whitley County, Indiana, United States. The population was 283 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Larwill is located at ....
, in Whitley County
Whitley County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,707 people, 11,711 households, and 8,607 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile . There were 12,545 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
. She was the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate in the 2008 election for governor of Indiana
Indiana gubernatorial election, 2008
The Indiana gubernatorial election of 2008 was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican nominee Mitch Daniels was challenged by Democratic nominee Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian nominee Andy Horning...
and was the first woman in Indiana history to be nominated for governor by a major party.
She lives with her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, in Marshall County on a farm near Argos, Indiana
Argos, Indiana
Argos is a town in Green and Walnut townships, Marshall County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,691 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Argos is located at ....
, where they planted 2,000 trees in two days as a symbol of their love.
Education
Long graduated from Columbia City Joint High School, in Columbia City, IndianaColumbia City, Indiana
Columbia City is a city in Columbia Township, Whitley County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,750 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Whitley County.-Geography:Columbia City is located at...
. Jill Long Thompson was the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned an M.B.A. (1978) and PhD (1984) in Business from Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, and a B.S. in Business from Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
(1974).
Educator
Between 1977 and 1980, Long was an assistant instructor and lecturer at Indiana University before being hired as an assistant professor at Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
, where she worked between 1981 and 1988. She also served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne between 1987 and 1989. During the 2002–2003 academic year Long-Thompson was an adjunct faculty member at Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana
North Manchester, Indiana
North Manchester is a town in Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana, United States. Peter Ogan, acting as the town’s founder filed for recording the 'Original Plat of Manchester' on February 13, 1846...
.
Politician
Her first elected office was as a member of the Valparaiso, IndianaValparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
, city council. She served in that post from 1984 to 1986. Long ran an unsuccessful campaign for the United States Senate in 1986. Long received 38.9% of the vote, losing to future vice president Dan Quayle
Dan Quayle
James Danforth "Dan" Quayle served as the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving with President George H. W. Bush . He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Indiana....
(61.1%). Two years later (1988) she ran as a candidate for Indiana's 4th Congressional District
Indiana's 4th congressional district
Indiana's 4th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based primary in the central part of the state, the district consists of all of Boone, Clinton, Hendricks, Morgan, Lawrence, Montgomery, and Tippecanoe counties and parts of Fountain, Johnson, Marion,...
. Long Thompson received 37.8% of the vote, losing to Dan Coats
Dan Coats
Daniel Ray "Dan" Coats is the junior United States Senator from Indiana and member of the Republican Party. He was in the United States Senate from from 1989 to 1999, retired, and then returned in 2011....
(62.2%).
With the appointment of Dan Coats
Dan Coats
Daniel Ray "Dan" Coats is the junior United States Senator from Indiana and member of the Republican Party. He was in the United States Senate from from 1989 to 1999, retired, and then returned in 2011....
to the Senate in 1988, Long was elected as a Democrat in a special election to fill the vacancy. Long Thompson's first election to Congress in 1989 made national headlines because Indiana's 4th congressional district was considered a safe Republican seat, once held by then Vice President Quayle. Long Thompson, then known as Jill Long, easily won re-election in 1990 and 1992 despite being a top Republican target for defeat. She ran for reelection in 1994 but lost to Mark Souder
Mark Souder
Mark Edward Souder is an American Republican politician who was a U.S. Representative from Indiana from 1995 to 2010.During the 1980s and early 1990s, he worked as a congressional aide to Dan Coats and committee staff director. He was elected to his congressional seat in 1994...
as one of many Democrats to lose a seat in Congress as part of a Republican sweep that brought the Republican Party into majority status for the first time since 1954.
In 1995, Long was appointed by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
, where she served until 2001 with the start of the George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
administration. As Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, Long Thompson managed 7,000 employees and a $10 billion budget, which funded rural housing, cooperative, water/waste, and business programs. Among her accomplishments as Under Secretary were reforming the single-family loan program, helping create thousands of jobs in economically challenged communities, and improving the efficiency of the Department.
In 2002, she attempted a political comeback when she ran for the open congressional seat in the 2nd District, but lost 50%–46% to Chris Chocola
Chris Chocola
Joseph Christopher "Chris" Chocola is the president of the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative political organization that supports a low-tax and limited-government agenda....
.
Indiana gubernatorial election, 2008
Thompson formally announced her gubernatorial candidacy on July 10, 2007. On September 27, 2007, Emily's ListEMILY's List
EMILY's List is a political action committee in the United States that aims to help elect female candidates to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1984....
endorsed her campaign. By February 25, 2008, the campaign had announced the endorsements of several leading labor unions including United Steelworkers, United Transportation Union, Service Employees International Union, Communication Workers of America, and the Local No. 446 of Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees. She defeated Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
architect Jim Schellinger
Jim Schellinger
Jim Schellinger is the active President of CSO Architects in Indianapolis, Indiana. On March 19, 2007, he filed his candidacy to run for governor against incumbent Republican Mitch Daniels but lost to fellow Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson by 13,000 votes - less than 1 percent.- Early...
in the May 6, 2008 Democratic primary by 13,000 votes or less than 1 percent.
She made reforming state government, accountability, and making larger investments in vocational education the focal points of her campaign. As a candidate, she proposed campaign finance laws to prohibit businesses that are working with, or soliciting work from, state or local governments from donating to political campaigns while they are under contract and for two years following the conclusion of their work, and include regulations for lobbyists to report all expenditures, including meals, made to state government employees.
In Thompson's bid for Indiana governor, polling showed her lagging far behind her opponent Mitch Daniels
Mitch Daniels
Mitchell Elias "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. is the 49th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana. A Republican, he began his first four-year term as governor on January 10, 2005, and was elected to his second term by an 18-point margin on November 4, 2008. Previously, he was the Director of the...
. On Election Night, Daniels was declared the winner and Thompson conceded the race.
Thompson's margin of loss of 40.1% to Daniels's 57.8% was the largest in an Indiana Gubernatorial election since 1992.
Later career
Long Thompson served as a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
. She most recently served as CEO and Senior Fellow at the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy.
In October 2009 she was nominated by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to the board that oversees the federal Farm Credit Administration
Farm Credit Administration
The Farm Credit Administration is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the United States Government. It regulates and examines the banks, associations, and related entities of the Farm Credit System, a network of borrower-owned financial institutions that provide credit to farmers,...
. The nomination was pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate when Obama installed Thompson on the board by recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
on March 27, 2010. The Senate finally confirmed her outright to the Farm Credit Administration on September 16, 2010.