Jeri Kehn Thompson

Jeri Kehn Thompson

Thompson before for a campaign event
Born Jeri L. Kehn
September 30, 1966
Hastings, Nebraska, USA
Residence McLean, Virginia
Spouse(s) Fred Thompson (2002-present)
Children Samuel Thompson Hayden
Victoria Thompson
Freddie Dalton "Tony" Thompson, Jr (step-son)
Elizabeth Thompson Panici (step-daughter) (deceased)

Jeri Kehn Thompson (born September 30, 1966) is an American radio talk show host, columnist for The American Spectator, political commentator, and former political consultant for the Washington, D.C. law firm of Verner Liipfert. She has also worked for the Republican Senate Conference and the Republican National Committee. She was also employed with the public relations and lobbying firm Burson-Marsteller.[1]

Thompson is married to Fred Thompson, former United States Senator, lawyer, lobbyist, screen actor, and former 2008 U.S. Republican Party presidential candidate.[2]

Early life

Thompson is a native of Hastings, Nebraska, but grew up in Naperville, Illinois, with her mother Vicki, stepfather Ron Keller and a younger sister. She graduated with a degree in English literature from Indiana's DePauw University in 1988 and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.[3][4]

Marriage and family

Thompson family.

Jeri Kehn and Fred Thompson first met on July 4, 1996, while both were in the checkout line at a Kroger supermarket.[5] They were married on June 29, 2002 at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Naperville. It was her first marriage and the Senator's second.[6]

On September 27, 2003, she gave birth to a daughter, Hayden. A second child, Samuel, was born in November 2006.[7]

When they married in 2002, she was 35 years old and he was 59. A New York Times article dated July 8, 2007 considered whether the so-called "May–December marriage" could become a campaign issue, noting that "she is not a home wrecker" and is "accomplished in her own right".[8]

In mid-December 2007, the Associated Press asked some of the 2008 candidates what their favorite possession was. Whereas Rudy Giuliani said his grandfather's pocketwatch, Fred Thompson responded tongue-in-cheek, "trophy wife."[9]

Political involvement

According to news reports, Jeri Thompson wielded considerable influence within her husband's presidential campaign, as a top political adviser.[10] She urged her husband to run, she also recruited some of his staff,[10] and she reportedly was responsible for the dismissal of others. She is a board member of Susan B. Anthony List.[11] She now appears on Fox talk show Hannity.

References

  1. ↑ MacGillis, Alec; Solomon, John (2007-08-05). "The Rise Of Jeri Thompson". The Washington Post.
  2. ↑ Internet Movie Database, Internet Movie Database, "Biography for Fred Dalton Thompson".
  3. ↑ DePauw University " Jeri Kehn Thompson '88 On Hand as Husband Fred Launches Presidential Bid" (2007-09-06)
  4. ↑ Grove, Lloyd. "The Reliable Source," Washington Post (1999-06-17).
  5. ↑ "Hannity and Colmes interview with Thompson". Fox News. October 3, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  6. ↑ Grove, Lloyd. "The Reliable Source," Washington Post (2002-07-02).
  7. ↑ York, Byron (2007-08-07). "Fred Thompson: Criticism of My Wife Should Be Directed at Me". National Review Online.
  8. ↑ Saulny, Susan (2007-07-08). "Will Her Face Determine His Fortune?". New York Times.
  9. ↑ Woodward, Calvin. "2008 Candidates and Their Keepsakes", Associated Press, 2007-12-13.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bailey, Holly. "Not-So-Hidden Power", Newsweek (2007-08-13).
  11. ↑ Cottle, Michelle (2007-10-22). "Jeri Rigged: The machinations of Mrs. Fred Thompson". The New Republic. Retrieved 2007-11-29.

External links

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