Tom Vilsack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Vilsack
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Official portrait, 2021
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| 30th & 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture | |
| In office February 24, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Jewel H. Bronaugh Xochitl Torres Small |
| Preceded by | Sonny Perdue |
| Succeeded by | Brooke Rollins |
| In office January 20, 2009 – January 13, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Kathleen Merrigan Krysta Harden Michael Scuse (acting) |
| Preceded by | Ed Schafer |
| Succeeded by | Sonny Perdue |
| 40th Governor of Iowa | |
| In office January 15, 1999 – January 12, 2007 |
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| Lieutenant | Sally Pederson |
| Preceded by | Terry Branstad |
| Succeeded by | Chet Culver |
| Member of the Iowa Senate from the 49th district |
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| In office January 11, 1993 – January 11, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Jack W. Hester |
| Succeeded by | Mark Shearer |
| Mayor of Mount Pleasant | |
| In office 1987–1992 |
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| Preceded by | Edward King |
| Succeeded by | Stanley Hill |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas James Vilsack
December 13, 1950 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Christie Bell
(m. 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Hamilton College (BA) Albany Law School (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Thomas James Vilsack (born December 13, 1950) is an American politician. He has served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture twice. First, he was Secretary from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. He then returned to the role from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. Before becoming Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack was the 40th governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
In 2006, Vilsack announced he would run for president in the 2008 election. However, he ended his campaign in early 2007. President-elect Barack Obama later chose Vilsack to be his Secretary of Agriculture. The United States Senate approved his nomination in January 2009. He was the only member of Obama's first cabinet to serve until almost the very end of Obama's second term.
In 2016, Vilsack was considered as a possible running mate for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. However, Tim Kaine was chosen instead. In 2020, President-elect Joe Biden nominated Vilsack to be Secretary of Agriculture again. The Senate confirmed him in February 2021. Vilsack is the second longest-serving Secretary of Agriculture.
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Early Life and Education
Tom Vilsack was born on December 13, 1950, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was adopted in 1951 by Bud and Dolly Vilsack, who named him Thomas James.
Vilsack went to Shady Side Academy, a high school in Pittsburgh. He earned a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College in 1972. He then received a law degree from Albany Law School in 1975.
Starting in Politics: Mayor and Senator
After getting married, Vilsack moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He became involved in his community by helping to raise money for local projects. This led him to run for mayor of Mount Pleasant. He was elected and served as mayor from 1987 to 1992.
In 1992, Vilsack was elected to the Iowa Senate. As a state senator, he worked on laws to help workers. He supported bills that required companies receiving state money to offer better pay and benefits. He also helped create a law for workers to keep health coverage when changing jobs.
Serving as Governor of Iowa (1999-2007)
In 1998, Tom Vilsack ran for governor of Iowa. He won the election, becoming the first Democrat to be governor of Iowa in 30 years. He was re-elected for a second term in 2002.
As governor, Vilsack focused on improving Iowa's economy. He created the Grow Iowa Values Fund. This fund provided money to businesses that promised to create good jobs in Iowa. He also signed an order in 2005 that allowed people who had finished their prison sentences to vote again. He believed that once people had paid their debt to society, they should be able to rejoin it fully.
Vilsack was a leader among governors. He chaired the Democratic Governors Association in 2004. He also led groups focused on biotechnology and ethanol, which are important to Iowa's economy. He left office in 2007 after two terms.
Running for President in 2008
On November 30, 2006, Tom Vilsack announced he would run for president. He was one of the first Democrats to enter the 2008 race. However, he ended his campaign on February 23, 2007, because he did not have enough money to continue.
During his campaign, Vilsack used social media a lot. He had profiles on MySpace and Facebook. He also posted videos on YouTube. After ending his own campaign, Vilsack supported Hillary Clinton for president.
Views on Important Issues
Vilsack was critical of the war in Iraq. He believed that U.S. troops should start to leave Iraq. He thought that a withdrawal would make the Iraqi government take more control of their country.
He also had a plan for energy security. He wanted the U.S. to rely less on foreign energy. His plan aimed to cut carbon emissions. He suggested replacing the Department of Energy with a new Department of Energy Security. This new department would focus on making America a leader in clean energy.
Secretary of Agriculture (2009–2017)
In December 2008, President-elect Barack Obama chose Tom Vilsack to be his Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate approved his nomination on January 20, 2009. Many farming groups supported his nomination.
As Secretary, Vilsack worked on various issues. In 2012, he defended the use of a processed beef product called "pink slime." He said it was safe and healthy. He also spoke about agriculture's role in climate change. He noted that U.S. agriculture contributes a small percentage of greenhouse gases.
Between Cabinet Roles
After leaving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture in 2017, Vilsack became the president and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council. This group helps American dairy products be sold in other countries. He also supported Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential primaries.
Secretary of Agriculture (2021–2025)
In December 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced that Vilsack would return as Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate approved his nomination in February 2021. He was sworn into office by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Key Actions in Second Term
During his second term, Vilsack's department, the USDA, made several important changes and investments:
- School Meals: The USDA put new rules in place to limit the amount of sugar in school meals.
- Meat Production: The USDA invested $100 million to help expand meat processing in the U.S. This helps farmers and creates jobs in rural areas. In 2024, over $35 million in grants went to 15 independent meat processors.
- Forestry Protection: The USDA invested $1.25 billion to help state forestry departments. This money helps plant new trees and reduce extreme heat. It also directed $930 million to help prevent wildfires in western states. This is done by clearing trees and brush in national forests.
- Rural Internet: Vilsack helped expand high-speed internet across the nation. This was part of a $65 billion effort to connect more people.
Personal Life
Tom Vilsack met his wife, Ann Christine "Christie" Bell, in college in 1968. They married in 1973 in Christie's hometown of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. They moved to Mount Pleasant in 1975, where Tom joined his father-in-law's law practice.
Tom and Christie Vilsack have two sons, Jess and Doug. In 2020, Vilsack won $150,000 in the Powerball lottery.
Images for kids
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Tom Vilsack's signature
See also
In Spanish: Tom Vilsack para niños
- List of United States Cabinet members who have served more than eight years
