Jeri Kehn Thompson
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| Jeri Kehn Thompson | |
 Jeri getting ready for a campaign event
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| Born | Jeri L. Kehn September 30, 1966 Hastings, Nebraska, USA |
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| Residence | McLean, Virginia |
| Spouse | Fred Thompson |
Jeri Kehn Thompson (born September 30, 1966) is a former media 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.
Thompson is married to Fred Thompson, former United States Senator, lawyer, lobbyist, screen actor, and former 2008 U.S. Republican Party presidential candidate.[1]
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[edit] 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.[2][3]
[edit] Marriage and family
Jeri Kehn and Fred Thompson first met on July 4, 1996 while both were in the checkout line at a Kroger supermarket.[4] 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.[5]
In October 2003, she gave birth to a daughter, Hayden. A second child, Samuel, was born in November 2006.[6]
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".[7]
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."[8]
[edit] Political involvement
According to news reports, Jeri Thompson wielded considerable influence within her husband's presidential campaign, as a top political adviser.[9] She urged her husband to run, she also recruited some of his staff,[9] and she reportedly was responsible for the dismissal of others.[10]
[edit] References
- ^ Internet Movie Database, Internet Movie Database, "Biography for Fred Dalton Thompson".
- ^ DePauw University "[1] Jeri Kehn Thompson '88 On Hand as Husband Fred Launches Presidential Bid" (2007-09-06)
- ^ Grove, Lloyd. "The Reliable Source," Washington Post (1999-06-17).
- ^ Hannity and Colmes interview with Thompson. Fox News (October 3, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
- ^ Grove, Lloyd. "The Reliable Source," Washington Post (2002-07-02).
- ^ York, Byron. "Fred Thompson: Criticism of My Wife Should Be Directed at Me", National Review Online, (2007-08-07).
- ^ Saulny, Susan. "Will Her Face Determine His Fortune?", New York Times, (2007-07-08).
- ^ Woodward, Calvin. "2008 Candidates and Their Keepsakes", Associated Press, 2007-12-13.
- ^ a b Bailey, Holly. "Not-So-Hidden Power", Newsweek (2007-08-13).
- ^ Cottle, Michelle. "Jeri Rigged: The machinations of Mrs. Fred Thompson", The New Republic, 2007-10-22. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
[edit] External links
- The Rise Of Jeri Thompson Alec MacGillis and John Solomon, Washington Post August 5, 2007
- The Naperville Sun Newspaper Article.
