WEST SALEM, WI (WXOW)—Former Governor Tommy Thompson brought his campaign for Senate to West Salem to focus on agricultural issues.
During his visit to Rolling Acres Hog Farms, Thompson apologized to farmers for what he called Eric Hovde's misuse of the Use Value Law, a law that he said he pushed through the legislature in the 90s.
The law lowers property taxes for farmers by allowing them to classify their land as farmland.
Thompson said Hovde tried to use the law to lower taxes on his developed property, putting the overall law in jeopardy.
"He was trying to take it away," Thompson said. "He didn't understand and that's the problem with somebody coming in outside of the state after 24 years and trying to buy a US Senate seat. He does not understand agriculture for sure and doesn't understand Wisconsin."
He said his visit was also in response to attack ads from his opponents.
"I've been Mr. Nice Guy," Thompson said. "I've been used as a punching bag and now I want people to know that one of my opponents, in this case Eric Hovde, was trying to make use value unconstitutional. That would have adversely impacted every one of these farmers, every one of your property taxes would have gone up considerable."
Thompson said he wrote them a letter asking them to stop their attacks and since they didn't he attacked back.
