Former Wisconsin Governor and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson visited Iowa Wednesday to give a speech at a health care event. Thompson, a republican, told Radio Iowa he’ll likely be back in the state more often as he plans to make a run for president.

Thompson says he plans to set up an exploratory committee for president sometime after the first of the year. Thompson says he was at the Iowa-Wisconsin football game last weekend and talked with people. Thompson says he thought he was well received at Wednesday’s event and says it’s time for a midwest candidate. Thompson says the recent midterm elections and losses by republicans show a need for refocusing the party.

Thompson says republicans became too arrogant as they went to Washington to change and Washington changed them. Thompson says republicans spent money as fast as democrats and the people said they wanted a change. Thompson says he has the experience the country needs in the next president.

Thompson says he believes strongly and passionately that healthcare and energy are going to the top subjects in the 200 presidential campaign. Thompson says he is in “a tremendously good position to offer very good advice, suggestions, ideas and ideals about those subjects.”

Thompson served four terms as Wisconsin’s governor before becoming the Health and Human Services Secretary under president Bush. Thompson left the agency after the 2004 election. Thompson now works at a private law firm and is a consultant to a health care group.