Thompson would join a field that includes Romney, former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Each has raised far more than Thompson, though Thompson is faring well in national opinion polls.
Unlike Romney, who is a multihundred millionaire, Thompson does not have the personal wealth to fund his campaign. Unlike Giuliani, who is relying on Wall Street for money, Thompson does not have a major base from which to raise funds.
During his eight years in the Senate, Thompson raised $10.5 million, less than it might cost to wage a primary campaign in California or New York.
Thompson could leverage his donations by using federal matching funds. So far, only McCain among the major candidates has indicated he would seek federal funds, after faltering in the money primary, raising $25 million in the first half of 2007.
"Decisions on whether or not to take matching funds would be made after a decision to become a candidate," Thompson communications director Linda Rozett said Tuesday.
Since he left office in January 2003, he has worked as an actor and an attorney. In the report filed with the Internal Revenue Service, Thompson disclosed that his contributors included Dick Wolf, creator and executive producer of "Law & Order," the television series in which Thompson appeared as the Manhattan district attorney. Wolf and his wife, Noelle, each donated $2,300.
Former California Lt. Gov. Mike Curb, a Nashville record producer, gave him $2,300, as did Curb's wife, Linda. Other Curb Records employees donated $8,200. Other $2,300 donors were former Sens. Howard H. Baker Jr. of Tennessee and Alfonse M. D'Amato of New York, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, and country singer Trace Adkins.
dan.morain@latimes.com
