Jeri Kehn Thompson

Last updated
Jeri Kehn Thompson
Jeri thompson.jpg
Thompson in 2007
Born
Jeri L. Kehn

(1966-09-30) September 30, 1966 (age 58)
Hastings, Nebraska, U.S.
Alma mater DePauw University
Political party Republican
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2002;died 2015)​
Children2

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 Senate Republican Conference and the Republican National Committee. She was also employed with the public relations and lobbying firm Burson-Marsteller. [1]

Contents

From 2002 until his death in 2015, Thompson was married to Fred Thompson, former United States Senator, lawyer, lobbyist, screen actor, and 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. The Thompson Family.jpg
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 Fred Thompson'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 homewrecker" 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. Fred Thompson responded tongue-in-cheek, "trophy wife." [9]

Political involvement

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

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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. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  6. ↑ Grove, Lloyd. "The Reliable Source Archived 2012-11-07 at the Wayback Machine ," 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. Archived from the original on 2007-08-11.
  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. 1 2 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.
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