Editing Tom Vilsack

{{Short description|American politician (born 1950)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Tom Vilsack
| image               = 20210427-OSEC-TEW-001 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (51148817903).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2021
| office              = 30th & 32nd [[United States Secretary of Agriculture]]
| president           = [[Joe Biden]]
| deputy              = [[Jewel H. Bronaugh]]<br />[[Xochitl Torres Small]]
| term_start          = February 24, 2021
| term_end            = January 20, 2025
| predecessor         = [[Sonny Perdue]]
| successor           = [[Brooke Rollins]]
| president1          = [[Barack Obama]]
| deputy1             = [[Kathleen Merrigan]]<br />[[Krysta Harden]]<br />[[Michael Scuse]] (acting)
| term_start1         = January 20, 2009
| term_end1           = January 13, 2017
| predecessor1        = [[Ed Schafer]]
| successor1          = [[Sonny Perdue]]
| order3              = 40th [[List of governors of Iowa|Governor of Iowa]]
| lieutenant3         = [[Sally Pederson]]
| term_start3         = January 15, 1999
| term_end3           = January 12, 2007
| predecessor3        = [[Terry Branstad]]
| successor3          = [[Chet Culver]]
| state_senate4       = Iowa
| district4           = [[Iowa Senate, District 49|49th]]
| term_start4         = January 11, 1993
| term_end4           = January 11, 1999
| predecessor4        = [[Jack W. Hester]]
| successor4          = [[Mark Shearer]]
| office5             = Mayor of [[Mount Pleasant, Iowa|Mount Pleasant]]
| term_start5         = 1987
| term_end5           = 1992
| predecessor5        = Edward King
| successor5          = Stanley Hill
| birth_name          = Thomas James Vilsack
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1950|12|13}}
| birth_place         = [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Christie Vilsack|Christie Bell]]|1973}}
| children            = 2
| education           = [[Hamilton College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Albany Law School]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| signature           = Tom Vilsack Signature.svg
| module              = {{Listen
|pos         = center
|embed       = yes
|filename    = Tom Vilsack speaks on free school meals for students and declining hunger rates.ogg
|title       = Vilsack's voice
|type        = speech
|description = Vilsack on free [[school meal]]s for students and declining [[Hunger in the United States|hunger rates]]<br/>Recorded May 5, 2021}}
}}
'''Thomas James Vilsack''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|v|ɪ|l|s|æ|k}}; born December 13, 1950) is an American politician. He served as the 30th and 32nd [[United States secretary of agriculture]] from 2009 to 2017, during the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]], and again from 2021 to 2025 during the [[Biden administration]]. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he served as the 40th [[governor of Iowa]] from 1999 to 2007.

On November 30, 2006, he formally launched his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 election]], but ended his bid on February 23, 2007.<ref name="quit">{{cite web|first=James W.|last=Pindel|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/23/ex_iowa_gov_vilsack_dropping_2008_presidential_bid/|title=Vilsack Dropping Out|newspaper=[[Boston Globe]]|date=February 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183138/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/23/ex_iowa_gov_vilsack_dropping_2008_presidential_bid/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref> President-elect [[Barack Obama]] announced Vilsack's selection to be Secretary of Agriculture on December 17, 2008. His nomination was confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] by unanimous consent on January 20, 2009. Until his January 13, 2017 resignation<ref name="depart">{{Cite web |url=http://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/13/today-is-vilsacks-last-day-as-us-ag-secretary/ |title=Radio Iowa, January 13, 2017 |date=January 13, 2017 |access-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-date=January 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106231537/https://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/13/today-is-vilsacks-last-day-as-us-ag-secretary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> one week prior to the end of Obama's second term as president, he had been the only member of the [[U.S. Cabinet]] who had served since the day Obama originally took office.

On July 19, 2016, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that Vilsack was on [[Hillary Clinton]]'s two-person [[2016 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection|shortlist to be her running mate]] for that year's [[2016 United States presidential election|presidential election]]. U.S. Senator [[Tim Kaine]] from Virginia was ultimately selected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/two-names-emerge-from-clintons-vp-deliberations-kaine-and-vilsack/2016/07/19/62189146-4d2d-11e6-aa14-e0c1087f7583_story.html|title=Two names emerge from Clinton's VP deliberations: Kaine and Vilsack|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 19, 2016|access-date=July 19, 2016|archive-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102175648/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/two-names-emerge-from-clintons-vp-deliberations-kaine-and-vilsack/2016/07/19/62189146-4d2d-11e6-aa14-e0c1087f7583_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 10, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate Vilsack to once again serve as secretary of agriculture in the incoming Biden administration.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=Transition46|number=1337062896837275653 |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |title=Working families, veterans, farmers and producers, and those fighting for their place in the middle class will have partners in government once again. This experienced group will help us make it through this pandemic and thrive once the crisis is over.}}</ref><ref name="confirmed">{{Cite news|last=Reiley|first=Laura|title=Tom Vilsack confirmed by the Senate for a second stint as Agriculture Secretary at a time of growing food insecurity because of the pandemic|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/02/23/tom-vilsack-confirmed-by-senate-second-stint-agriculture-secretary-time-growing-food-insecurity-because-pandemic/|access-date=2021-02-23|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Vilsack was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 23, 2021, by a vote of 92–7.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=117&session=1&vote=00063 |title=On the Nomination (Confirmation: Thomas J. Vilsack, of Iowa, to be Secretary of Agriculture) |author=<!--Not stated.--> |date=2021-02-23 |website=U.S. Senate |access-date=2021-03-04}}</ref> Vilsack is the second longest serving Secretary of Agriculture, only surpassed by fellow Iowan [[James Wilson (Secretary of Agriculture)|James "Tama Jim" Wilson]].

==Early life and education==
Vilsack was born on December 13, 1950, in a Catholic [[orphanage]] in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], where his 23-year-old birth mother (a secretary) had lived since September 1950 under the pseudonym of "Gloria"; he was baptized as "Kenneth".<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Tom Vilsack by David Axelrod on ''The Axe Files''|publisher=podcasts.cnn.net|date=August 15, 2016|url=http://podcasts.cnn.net/epvs/v2/11/5/1929/axe.7842d2e4.1-1.mp3?mtp=a&dvc=f|access-date=August 16, 2016|archive-date=January 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175833/http://podcasts.cnn.net/epvs/v2/11/5/1929/axe.7842d2e4.1-1.mp3?mtp=a&dvc=f|url-status=live}}</ref> He was adopted in 1951 by Bud (1915-1972), a real-estate agent and insurance salesman, and Dolly Vilsack (1920-1977). They named him Thomas James. They had another daughter named Alice (1944-1990) who died 2 years after a heart transplant due to organ rejection.

Vilsack attended [[Shady Side Academy]], a [[University-preparatory school|preparatory high school]] in Pittsburgh. He received a bachelor's degree in 1972 from [[Hamilton College (New York)|Hamilton College]]. While at Hamilton, he joined the [[Delta Upsilon]] fraternity. He received a [[Juris Doctor]] from [[Albany Law School]] in 1975.

==Mayor of Mount Pleasant & Iowa Senate==
Vilsack moved to [[Mount Pleasant, Iowa]] after marriage. Vilsack raised funds to rebuild an athletic facility for young people; in a 2016 interview, he describes himself "as the [[Jerry Lewis]] of Mount Pleasant for a couple days" when he hosted a pledge drive on the local radio station to raise the funds.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://podcasts.cnn.net/epvs/v2/11/5/1929/axe.7842d2e4.1-1.mp3?mtp=a&dvc=f |title=Interview with Tom Vilsack by David Axelrod on The Axe Files podcast, August 15, 2016 |access-date=August 16, 2016 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175833/http://podcasts.cnn.net/epvs/v2/11/5/1929/axe.7842d2e4.1-1.mp3?mtp=a&dvc=f |url-status=live }}</ref> This led him to involvement in the local [[Chamber of Commerce]] and [[United Way]]. He and his wife volunteered in the failed 1988 presidential campaign of then senator [[Joe Biden]].

After the mayor of Mount Pleasant was gunned down in December 1986, Vilsack led a fundraising drive to build a memorial fountain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehawkeye.com/news/local/years-after-mayor-s-death-edd-king-fountain-to-be/article_32924fc8-393f-528b-8b9d-67b7b58d5c58.html|title=30 years after mayor's death, Edd King Fountain to be rededicated Saturday|first=Elizabeth|last=Meyer|date=July 12, 2016|website=[[The Hawk Eye]]|access-date=May 21, 2017}}</ref> The deceased mayor's father asked Vilsack to run for mayor of Mount Pleasant; he was elected and began serving in 1987.<ref name="biography">{{cite news|last=Okamoto|first=Lynn|date=October 15, 2009|title=Vilsack biography|work=[[Des Moines Register]]|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS09/40702012|url-status=dead|access-date=October 14, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724010946/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS09/40702012|archive-date=July 24, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 

Vilsack was elected to the [[Iowa Senate]] in 1992.<ref name="biography"/> Following his election, he worked on legislation requiring companies who received state tax incentives to provide better pay and benefits. He helped pass a law for workers to receive health coverage when changing jobs and helped redesign Iowa's Workforce Development Department. He also wrote a bill to have the State of Iowa assume a 50% share of local county [[mental health]] costs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iowa Law Mandates Mental Health Coverage {{!}} PLANSPONSOR |url=https://www.plansponsor.com/iowa-law-mandates-mental-health-coverage/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.plansponsor.com}}</ref>

==Governor of Iowa, 1999-2007==
In [[1998 Iowa gubernatorial election|1998]], [[Terry Branstad]] chose not to seek re-election after 16 years as governor. The Iowa Republican Party nominated [[Jim Ross Lightfoot]], a former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]. Vilsack defeated former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark McCormick in the Democratic primary and chose [[Sally Pederson]] as his running mate. Lightfoot was the odds-on favorite to succeed Branstad and polls consistently showed him in the lead.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Geraghty|first1=Mary|title=Despite tight race for Iowa governor, Lightfoot ahead among most likely voters|url=http://www.news-releases.uiowa.edu/1998/november/1102heartland.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901153622/http://www.news-releases.uiowa.edu/1998/november/1102heartland.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 1, 2006|work=The University of Iowa: News Service|date=November 2, 1998}}</ref> However, Vilsack won the general election by 55,444 votes and became the first Democrat to serve as governor of Iowa in thirty years and only the fifth Democrat to hold the office in the 20th century.

During the 2000 contest for the Democratic presidential nomination between Vice President [[Al Gore]] and former U.S. Senator [[Bill Bradley]], he remained neutral.<ref>{{cite news|first=B. Drummond Jr.|last=Ayres|title=The 2002 Campaign: Campaign Briefing|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/28/us/the-2000-campaign-campaign-briefing.html|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 28, 2000|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527142056/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/28/us/the-2000-campaign-campaign-briefing.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[2002 Iowa gubernatorial election|2002]] he won his second term in office by defeating Republican challenger attorney Doug Gross by 83,837 votes.<ref>{{cite news|title=The 2002 Elections: Midwest, Iowa|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/us/the-2002-elections-midwest-iowa.html|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 7, 2002|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527204116/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/us/the-2002-elections-midwest-iowa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Tom Vilsack ChangeGov Press.jpg|thumb|left|Governor Tom Vilsack in 2008]]
In the first year of his second term, Vilsack used a [[line-item veto]], later ruled unconstitutional by the [[Iowa Supreme Court]], to create the Grow Iowa Values Fund, a $503{{spaces}}million appropriation designed to boost the Iowa economy by offering grants to corporations and initiatives pledged to create higher-income jobs. He vetoed portions of the bill that would have cut income taxes and eased business regulations. After a special session of the [[Iowa General Assembly]] on September 7, 2004, $100{{spaces}}million in state money was set aside to honor previously made commitments. The Grow Iowa Values Fund was reinstated at the end of the 2005 session: under the current law, $50{{spaces}}million per year will be set aside over the next ten years.

For most of Vilsack's tenure as governor, Republicans held effective majorities in the Iowa General Assembly. Following the November 2, 2004, elections, the fifty-member Senate was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, and Republicans held a 51–49 majority in the House of Representatives.

In July 2005, Vilsack signed an executive order allowing all felons who had served their sentences to vote.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/EO/966206.pdf |title= Executive Order Number Forty-Two |date=July 4, 2005 |website=Iowa Legislature |access-date= February 29, 2024}}</ref> Approximately 115,000 felons regained their voting rights.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Rod|last=Boshart|title=Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs order restoring felon voting rights|url=https://qctimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/iowa-gov-kim-reynolds-signs-order-restoring-felon-voting-rights/article_cec6af1b-a0b5-5019-80f9-ae4b89f7c9e7.html|access-date=2020-08-05|website=[[The Quad-City Times]]|date=August 5, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807115015/https://qctimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/iowa-gov-kim-reynolds-signs-order-restoring-felon-voting-rights/article_cec6af1b-a0b5-5019-80f9-ae4b89f7c9e7.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He said: "When you've paid your debt to society, you need to be reconnected and re-engaged to society." Previously, convicted felons were disenfranchised, but could petition the governor to initiate a process, normally requiring six months, to restore their right to vote.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Zernicke|first1=Kate|title=Iowa Governor Will Give Felons the Right to Vote|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/18/us/iowa-governor-will-give-felons-the-right-to-vote.html?_r=0|access-date=June 18, 2005|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 20, 2016|archive-date=December 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218021707/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/18/us/iowa-governor-will-give-felons-the-right-to-vote.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 2005 legislative session, Vilsack signed legislation designed to reduce [[methamphetamine]] use. It imposed greater restrictions on products containing the active ingredient [[pseudoephedrine]], requiring them to be sold behind [[pharmacy]] counters rather than via open-access. It required purchasers to show identification and sign a logbook. It took effect on May 21, 2005.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in ''[[Kelo v. City of New London]]'' in June 2005, Vilsack vetoed a bill to restrict Iowa's use of [[eminent domain]], citing its potential for negative impact on job creation. He said: "You have an interesting balance between job growth, which everybody supports, and restricting the power of government, which a lot of people support."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gearino|first1=Dan|last2=Dorman|first2=Todd|title=Vilsack vetoes eminent domain|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/vilsack-vetoes-eminent-domain/article_cfcab8ad-a4e2-5787-a061-5b8350e6203b.html|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=[[Sioux City Journal]]|date=June 2, 2006|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925055259/http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/vilsack-vetoes-eminent-domain/article_cfcab8ad-a4e2-5787-a061-5b8350e6203b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His veto was overridden by the legislature.

Vilsack is a former member of the [[National Governors Association]] Executive Committee. He was chair of the [[Democratic Governors Association]] in 2004. He was also chair of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership, the Governors Ethanol Coalition, and the Midwest Governors Conference, and has also been chair and vice-chair of the National Governors Association's committee on Natural Resources, where he worked to develop the NGA's farm and energy policies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Longley|first=Robert|title=Tom Vilsack: Secretary of Agriculture|url=http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/tom_vilsack.htm|publisher=About.com|access-date=September 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921210720/http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/tom_vilsack.htm|archive-date=September 21, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Vilsack was thought to be high on the list of [[2004 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection|potential running mates]] for Kerry in the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Halbfinger|first=David M.|date=2004-06-27|title=THE 2004 CAMPAIGN: THE NO. 2 SPOT; Iowa Governor Makes His Case for Stepping Into the National Limelight With Kerry|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/us/2004-campaign-no-2-spot-iowa-governor-makes-his-case-for-stepping-into-national.html|access-date=2021-10-21|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 2005, Vilsack established Heartland PAC, a [[political action committee]] aimed at electing Democratic governors. In the first report, he raised over half a million dollars. Vilsack left office in 2007; he did not seek a third term and was succeeded by Secretary of State and fellow Democrat [[Chet Culver]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Thomas |title=Culver sails into victory |publisher=[[Des Moines Register]] |date=November 8, 2006 |url=http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061108/NEWS09/311080011|access-date=2006-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 11, 2006 |title=2006 General Election |url=http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/staff/offResultsGovLtGov.pdf|access-date=April 8, 2025 |website=Iowa Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221150426/http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/staff/offResultsGovLtGov.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2007 }}</ref>

==2008 U.S. presidential campaign==
{{main|Tom Vilsack 2008 presidential campaign}}
On November 30, 2006, Tom Vilsack became the second Democrat (after [[Mike Gravel]]) to officially announce intentions to run for the presidency in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 election]]. In his announcement speech, he said "America's a great country, and now I have the opportunity to begin the process, the legal process of filing papers to run for President of the United States." Vilsack dropped out of the race on February 23, 2007, citing monetary constraints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomvilsack08.com/blog/archives/thank_you_video |title=Thank You Video |publisher=Tomvilsack08.com |access-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001101440/http://www.tomvilsack08.com/blog/archives/thank_you_video/ |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>

[[File:Tom Vilsack 2008 campaign logo.svg|thumb|Vilsack's campaign logo]]
Vilsack's campaign made significant use of [[social media]] by maintaining an active [[MySpace]] profile, a collection of [[viral video]] clips on [[YouTube]], a [[Facebook]] profile, [[videoblog]] on [[blip.tv]],<ref name="kuhn">Kuhn, Eric. [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-kuhn/vilsack-wants-to-appeal-t_b_36693.html Vilsack Wants To Appeal To ME and YOU.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911122058/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-kuhn/vilsack-wants-to-appeal-t_b_36693.html |date=September 11, 2016 }} ''Huffington Post''.</ref> and a conference call with the podcast site [[TalkShoe]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://recordings.talkshoe.com/rss10102.xml |title=EPISODE69 – The Kurt Hurner Show |publisher=TalkShoe |date=August 12, 2008 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507204925/http://recordings.talkshoe.com/rss10102.xml |archive-date=May 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On January 27, 2007, Vilsack called into the Regular Guys Show hosted by Kurt Hurner to conduct a 15‑minute interview on his running for the Democratic nomination for 2008. Since then, Vilsack appeared again on the show, now The Kurt Hurner Show at Talk Shoe on August 12, 2008, this time as a supporter of Barack Obama for president taking questions from callers to the program for 30 minutes.

During the campaign, Vilsack joined fellow candidates [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Joe Biden]] in supporting the establishment of a [[U.S. Public Service Academy]] as a civilian counterpart to the military academies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/endorsements/ |title=Endorsements |publisher=Uspublicserviceacademy.org |access-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906025143/http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/endorsements/ |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Shortly after ending his 2008 bid for the White House, Vilsack endorsed Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] and was named the national co-chair for Clinton's presidential campaign.<ref>[http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=1416 HillaryClinton.com – Media Release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127221131/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=1416 |date=November 27, 2008 }}</ref>

===Views on Iraq===
Vilsack was critical of President [[George W. Bush|Bush]]'s execution of the war in [[Iraq]], but he hesitated to call for an immediate and complete pullout of U.S. forces: "I don't think we're losing in Iraq. It appears to be a draw. People are upset by the fact that their kids are over there and there doesn't seem to be any end to this whole process. It's not pacifism that makes people think this way. They're questioning the credibility and competence of the Commander-in-Chief."<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Jeffrey |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/05/29/central-casting |title=Central Casting |magazine=The New Yorker |date=May 29, 2006 |access-date=July 20, 2016 |archive-date=October 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006001541/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/05/29/central-casting |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Tom Vilsack withdrawal.jpg|thumb|left|Vilsack announces his withdrawal from the 2008 presidential race]]
On December 5, Vilsack announced that he favored withdrawing most U.S. forces from Iraq and leaving a small force in the northern region for a limited period. He said U.S. forces provided the Iraqi government with "both a crutch and an excuse" for inaction. He said U.S. withdrawal "may very well require them to go through some chaotic and very difficult times", but that he believed it the only way to force the Iraqi government to take control of the country.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://apnews.com/852a34fe45bf28898f8296657431bab5| title=Vilsack wants smaller U.S. force in Iraq| access-date=July 20, 2016| date=December 5, 2006| first=Beth| last=Fouey| work=Associated Press News| publisher=Associated Press Archive| archive-date=August 15, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815122127/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2006/Vilsack-Wants-Smaller-U-S-Force-in-Iraq/id-852a34fe45bf28898f8296657431bab5| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Views on energy security===
The Vilsack Energy Security Agenda set out a strategy to dramatically reduce U.S. reliance on foreign energy and to cut the United States' carbon emissions. It also called for replacing the Department of Energy with a new Department of Energy Security, to oversee and redefine the federal government's role in energy policy. The reorganized department would have acted as an institutional advocate for innovation in energy policy and was intended to ensure accountability as the nation works towards achieving its energy security goals. Through this new department, America's overriding objective in energy policy would have been to make America the unquestioned leader in clean energy, enhancing national security and economic strength.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.TomVilsack08.com |title=Tom Vilsack for President |publisher=Tomvilsack08.com |access-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023082924/http://www.tomvilsack08.com/ |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref>

In a 2007 lecture to the [[Commonwealth Club of California]], Vilsack stated:<ref>{{cite journal| title=On the Record| date=January 14, 2009| first1=Emma| last1=Marris| first2=Alexandra| last2=Witze| journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]| volume=457| issue=7227| pages=242–243| doi=10.1038/457242a| pmid=19148063| doi-access=free}}</ref>

{{blockquote|Iowa is one of the nation's leading producers of [[corn ethanol|corn-based ethanol]], and many people in my state have an economic stake in the expanded use of corn-based ethanol. But the reality is that corn-based ethanol will never be enough to reach our goals. Some have suggested that we import more sugar-based ethanol from Brazil and we should indeed consider all sources of available ethanol{{spaces}}... but if we are going to create energy security we can't simply replace one imported source of energy with another. That alone is not security{{spaces}}... the only way we can produce enough domestically is if we greatly improve the technology used to produce [[cellulosic ethanol]].}}

==Secretary of Agriculture (2009–2017)==
===Appointment===
[[File:Tom Vilsack, official USDA photo portrait.jpg|thumb|right|Vilsack's 2009 official portrait during his first tenure as Agriculture secretary]]
[[File:20110816-OSEC-LSC-0457 - Flickr - USDAgov.jpg|thumb|right|Vilsack introduces President [[Barack Obama]] at the [[Northeast Iowa Community College]], for a White House Rural Economic Forum on August 16, 2011.]]

On December 17, 2008, then-President-elect [[Barack Obama]] announced his choice of Vilsack as the nominee to be the 30th [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|Secretary of Agriculture]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/16/transition.wrap/index.html |title=Sources: Obama to tap Vilsack as agriculture secretary |website=[[CNN]] |date=December 16, 2008 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105171656/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/16/transition.wrap/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Vilsack has governed a largely agricultural state as did the previous two Secretaries of Agriculture, [[Mike Johanns]] (who was later a United States Senator from Nebraska) (2005–2007) and [[Ed Schafer]] (2007–2009).

The Senate confirmed Vilsack's nomination for the position by unanimous consent on January 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/20/senate-confirms-6-obama-cabinet-officials-omb-director/|title=Senate confirms 6 Obama Cabinet officials, OMB director|website=[[CNN]]|date=January 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122210647/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/20/senate-confirms-6-obama-cabinet-officials-omb-director/ |archive-date=January 22, 2009 }}</ref>

Reaction to Vilsack's nomination from agricultural groups was largely positive and included endorsements from the [[Corn Refiners Association]], the National Grain and Feed Association, the [[National Farmers Union (United States)|National Farmers Union]], the [[American Farm Bureau Federation]], and the [[Environmental Defense Fund]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Sally|last=Schuff|title=Obama picks Vilsack for ad secretary|magazine=Feedstuffs|date=December 22, 2008|page=1}}</ref> Vilsack was the founder and former chair of the Governor's Biotechnology Partnership, and was named Governor of the Year by the [[Biotechnology Industry Organization]], an industry [[lobbying]] group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bio.org:80/news/pressreleases/newsitem.asp?id=2001_0920_01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218213047/http://www.bio.org/news/pressreleases/newsitem.asp?id=2001_0920_01|title=BIO – Iowas Vilsack Named BIO Governor of the Year|date=September 20, 2001|website=Bio Technology Industry Organization|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-date=December 18, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Actions===
Vilsack appointed [[Shirley Sherrod]] as the Georgia Director of Rural Development, saying she would be an "important advocate on behalf of rural communities".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ruraldevelopment.org/shirleydirector.html |title=Shirley Sherrod named Georgia Director of Rural Development |publisher=Ruraldevelopment.org |access-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-date=August 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805094104/http://www.ruraldevelopment.org/shirleydirector.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Months after the appointment, Vilsack forced her to resign based on accusations of considering race in the handling of her job responsibilities at a private advocacy firm in 1986.<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/us/politics/22sherrod.html?_r=0 | title =With Apology, Fired Official Is Offered a New Job | newspaper =[[The New York Times]]| first1=Sheryl Gay|last1=Stolberg | author-link1=Sheryl Gay Stolberg|first2=Shaila|last2=Dewan |author-link2=Brian Stelter|first3=Brian|last3=Stelter | author-link3=Brian Stelter|date =July 21, 2010 | access-date =February 18, 2013 | archive-date =March 18, 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130318003959/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/us/politics/22sherrod.html?_r=0 | url-status =live }}</ref> Subsequent reports claimed that Vilsack had overreacted to a selectively edited tape of a speech that Sherrod had given to the [[NAACP]].  The edited tape had been posted online by conservative blogger [[Andrew Breitbart]].<ref>{{cite news|first=James|last=Oliphant|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-feb-14-la-pn-shirley-sherrod-andrew-breitbart-20110214-story.html%3f_amp=true|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201210162921/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-feb-14-la-pn-shirley-sherrod-andrew-breitbart-20110214-story.html?_amp=true|url-status= dead|archive-date= December 10, 2020|title= Shirley Sherrod sues Andrew Breitbart over video he posted that led USDA to fire her|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 14, 2011|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> Vilsack expressed his "deep regret" to Sherrod in acting hastily.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vilsack-i-will-have-to-live-with-shirley-sherrod-mistake/ | work=[[CBS News]] | title=Vilsack: I Will Have to Live With Shirley Sherrod Mistake | first=Brian | last=Montopoli | date=July 21, 2010 | access-date=July 21, 2010 | archive-date=October 29, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029233605/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20011263-503544.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 24, 2012, Obama appointed Vilsack the [[designated survivor]] during the President's [[State of the Union address]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Ed|last=O'Keefe|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/state-of-the-union-tom-vilsack-to-serve-as-cabinets-designated-survivor/2012/01/24/gIQA8WnhOQ_blog.html|title=State of the Union: Tom Vilsack to serve as Cabinet's 'designated survivor|date=January 24, 2012|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=January 24, 2012|archive-date=January 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126032805/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/state-of-the-union-tom-vilsack-to-serve-as-cabinets-designated-survivor/2012/01/24/gIQA8WnhOQ_blog.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Beef advocacy===
In March 2012, Vilsack joined three midwest governors in a campaign to defend the use of a processed beef product made from trimmings left after beef carcasses are butchered, dubbed "[[pink slime]]" by its critics. He said "it's safe, it contains less fat and historically it's been less expensive" and that it should be available to consumers and school districts that want to buy it.<ref>{{cite news | access-date= July 20, 2016 | title= Branstad, Vilsack team up to combat "smear" campaign against beef product | url= http://www.radioiowa.com/2012/03/29/branstad-vilsack-team-up-to-combat-smear-campaign-audio/ | publisher= Radio Iowa | date= June 1, 2012 | first= O. Kay | last= Henderson | archive-date= August 13, 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160813103357/http://www.radioiowa.com/2012/03/29/branstad-vilsack-team-up-to-combat-smear-campaign-audio/ | url-status= live }}</ref>

===Global warming===
At a [[Drake University]] forum on [[climate change]] April 22, 2014, Vilsack stated "agriculture tends to take the brunt of criticism about climate change, but the industry contributes only 9{{spaces}}percent of the [[greenhouse gas]]es blamed for a warming planet" and that while there were "challenges globally in terms of agriculture and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions that's not necessarily the case in the United States."<ref name=DM>{{cite news|title=Vilsack: Agriculture unfairly blamed for climate change|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/green-fields/2014/04/22/vilsack-climate-change-drake-university/8009591/|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|access-date=April 24, 2014|first=Donnelle|last=Eller|date=April 22, 2014}}</ref>

===Considered resignation===
In 2015, Vilsack told President Obama he was considering resigning from his position. ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that he said, "There are days when I have literally nothing to do" as he weighed his decision to quit.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tom-vilsacks-lonely-fight-for-a-forgotten-rural-america/2016/09/26/62d7ee64-7830-11e6-ac8e-cf8e0dd91dc7_story.html|title=Tom Vilsack's lonely fight for a 'forgotten' rural America|first1=Greg|last1=Jaffe|first2=Juliet|last2=Eilperin|date=September 26, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-date=May 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525174356/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tom-vilsacks-lonely-fight-for-a-forgotten-rural-america/2016/09/26/62d7ee64-7830-11e6-ac8e-cf8e0dd91dc7_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Obama asked Vilsack to remain in his position and asked him to look into the problem of [[opioid addiction]].<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/>

==Between cabinet tenures==
Shortly after his tenure ended, Vilsack released a statement in support of his succession by [[Sonny Perdue]] as the Secretary of Agriculture, making Perdue the only cabinet member nominee to receive a public statement of support from an Obama cabinet member.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/8841-vilsack-backs-perdue-for-agriculture-secretary|title=Vilsack backs Perdue for Agriculture Secretary|first=Daniel|last=Enoch|publisher=agri-pulse|date=January 31, 2017|access-date=July 25, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223074148/https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/8841-vilsack-backs-perdue-for-agriculture-secretary|url-status=live}}</ref> He was mentioned as a possible candidate for the United States Senate in [[2020 United States Senate election in Iowa|2020]], for the seat currently held by Republican incumbent [[Joni Ernst]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/19/tom-vilsack-joni-ernst-senate-2020-campaign-speculation-run-iowa-republican-democrat-election-vote/2368700002/|title=Tom Vilsack doesn't say 'yes' or 'no' to a possible 2020 challenge to Sen. Joni Ernst|last=Pfannenstiel|first=Brianne|date=2018-12-19|work=Des Moines Register|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref> but subsequently declined to run.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/22/election-20202-tom-vilsack-not-run-u-s-senate-joni-ernst-democrat-republican/2952285002/|title=Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack will not run for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Joni Ernst in 2020|last1=Pfannenstiel|first1=Brianne|date=February 22, 2019|work=[[Des Moines Register]]|access-date=September 18, 2019|last2=Cannon|first2=Austin}}</ref>

In February 2017, Vilsack became president and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usdec.org/newsroom/news-releases/news-releases/news-release-01/17/2017|title=Tom Vilsack to Take Helm of U.S. Dairy Export Council|publisher=U.S. Dairy Export Council|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-date=September 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920140103/http://www.usdec.org/newsroom/news-releases/news-releases/news-release-01/17/2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Vilsack endorsed [[Joe Biden]] in the [[2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gruber-Miller|first=Stephen|date=November 23, 2019|title=Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and wife Christie Vilsack endorse Joe Biden for president|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/11/23/tom-christie-vilsack-endorse-joe-biden-president-iowa-caucuses-2020/4275737002/|access-date=December 9, 2020|newspaper=[[The Des Moines Register]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Secretary of Agriculture (2021–2025)==
[[File:20210225-OSEC-WH-0003.jpg|thumb|Vilsack is sworn in for the second time as agriculture secretary by Vice President [[Kamala Harris]], February 24, 2021.]]

===Nomination and confirmation===
In December 2020, [[Joseph R. Biden|Biden]] announced he would nominate Vilsack to again serve as the [[Secretary of Agriculture]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Charles|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2020/12/09/944434278/biden-plans-to-bring-vilsack-back-to-usda-despite-criticism-from-reformers|title=Biden plans to bring Vilsack back to USDA despite criticism|website=[[NPR]]|date=December 9, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref> The move was met by some with criticism from black farmers and progressives, because of Vilsack's perceived relationship with status quo and corporate agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-19|title=Tom Vilsack Is the Wrong Person To Lead the Department of Agriculture|url=https://reason.com/2020/12/19/tom-vilsack-is-the-wrong-person-to-lead-the-department-of-agriculture/|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Reason.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Editorial|first=Staff|title=Vilsack, a status quo pick, must lead change|url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/staff-editorial/vilsack-a-status-quo-pick-must-lead-change-20201218|access-date=2020-12-20|website=The Gazette|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Black farmers, civil rights advocates seething over Vilsack pick|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077|access-date=2020-12-20|website=POLITICO|date=December 9, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He appeared before the [[Senate Agriculture Committee]] on February 2, 2021, and was unanimously approved.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2021/02/02/tom-vilsack-usda-nomination-full-senate-vote-joe-biden-cabinet-former-iowa-governor/4277677001/ | title= Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's USDA secretary nomination gets committee nod, goes to full Senate | publisher= Des Moines Register | date= February 2, 2021 | accessdate= February 2, 2021}}</ref> His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on February 23, 2021, by a 92–7 vote.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Verma|first1=Pranshu|last2=Gladstone|first2=Rick|date=2021-02-23|title=Senate confirms Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be U.N. ambassador and Tom Vilsack to be agriculture secretary.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/us/politics/linda-thomas-greenfield-ambassador-united-nations.html|access-date=2021-02-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He was sworn into office by [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Kamala Harris]] on February 24, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack sworn in as US Agriculture Secretary |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/former-iowa-gov-tom-vilsack-sworn-in-as-us-secretary-of-agriculture/35622969 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |website=KCCI |language=en}}</ref>

=== Tenure ===
The USDA implemented new rules to limit how much sugar can be in school meals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New rules would limit sugar in school meals for first time|url=https://apnews.com/article/new-school-meal-nutrition-standards-30963aeb9f56aae0ee743c26f1117f19|website=www.apnews.com|date=February 3, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

====Meat production====
During his tenure, Vilsack announced that the [[USDA]] would leverage $100 million in funding from the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021|American Rescue Plan Act]] to expand America's meat processing capacity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=USDA To Launch Loan Guarantee Initiative to Create More and Better Market Opportunities, Promote Competition and Strengthen America's Food Supply Chain|url=https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/10/04/usda-launch-loan-guarantee-initiative-create-more-and-better-market|access-date=2021-10-21|website=www.usda.gov|date=October 4, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bustillo|first=Ximena|title=Vilsack takes another shot at meat industry concentration|url=https://politi.co/3D8Na9v|access-date=2021-10-21|website=POLITICO|date=October 4, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, "more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity, spur competition to expand market opportunities for U.S. farmers and create jobs in rural areas."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Awards through Landmark Meat and Poultry Processing Investment|url=https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/09/19/biden-harris-administration-announces-final-awards-through-landmark|website=www.usda.gov|language=en}}</ref>

====Forestry Protection====
The USDA also made investments into state forestry departments across the nation to help "plant and maintain new trees to reduce extreme heat, benefit health and improve access to nature" for $1.25 billion & directed $930 million to reduce wildfires in western states, which was accomplished by clearing trees and underbrush in national forests.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Feds spread $1 billion for tree plantings among US cities to reduce extreme heat and benefit health|url=https://apnews.com/article/tree-planting-usda-funding-billion-05dc7726a2940a89742432e1381ec565|website=www.apnews.com|date=September 14, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Feds send $930 million to curb 'crisis' of US West wildfires|url=https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-science-politics-health-oregon-fd0b4b56e97fca9a6e083096f2bc97f4|website=www.apnews.com|date=January 19, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, "The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced up to $7.7 billion in assistance for fiscal year 2025 to help agricultural and forestry producers adopt conservation practices on working lands. This includes up to $5.7 billion for climate-smart practices, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda and $2 billion in Farm Bill funding."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Biden-Harris Administration Makes up to $7.7 Billion Available for Climate-Smart Practices on Agricultural Lands as Part of Investing in America Agenda|url=https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/10/02/biden-harris-administration-makes-77-billion-available-climate|website=www.usda.gov|language=en}}</ref>

====Rural Internet====
Vilsack helped expand high speed internet across the nation, as part of a "$65 billion push for high-speed connectivity" from the 2021 [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rural areas to get $759M in grants for high-speed internet|url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-north-carolina-us-department-of-agriculture-mitch-landrieu-tom-vilsack-e521854ebdaf6262202713abb2aa8415|website=www.apnews.com|date=October 27, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Feds: $401M will add high-speed internet to rural US places|url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-new-mexico-arizona-colorado-nevada-277c9df9be42ed564271d4619d85c522|website=www.apnews.com|date=July 29, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=US infrastructure splurge extends to remote New Mexico farms|url=https://apnews.com/article/rural-internet-fiberoptic-vilsack-biden-93123e7e848893dbee9d4a7c7c0d9621|website=www.apnews.com|date=April 3, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

== Post-Government Career ==

After his second tenure as [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|Secretary of Agriculture]], the [[World Food Prize|World Food Prize Foundation]] named Vilsack as their new CEO starting on March 1, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tom Vilsack named World Food Prize Foundation CEO|url=https://www.kcci.com/article/tom-vilsack-iowa-named-world-food-prize-foundation-ceo/63586963|website=[[KCCI]]|date=January 28, 2025|language=en}}</ref> succeeding fellow former Iowa Governor [[Terry Branstad]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=globalreach.com |first=Global Reach Internet Productions, LLC-Ames, IA- |title=World Food Prize Foundation Announces Leadership Changes |url=https://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428/49175/world_food_prize_foundation_announces_leadership_changes |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.worldfoodprize.org |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Vilsack met his wife, [[Christie Vilsack|Ann Christine "Christie" Bell]], in a cafeteria while at Hamilton College in New York in October 1968. Vilsack approached her and asked, "Are you a [[Hubert Humphrey|Humphrey]] or a [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]] supporter?" She replied "Humphrey" and they soon began dating. On August 18, 1973, the couple was married in Christie Vilsack's hometown of [[Mount Pleasant, Iowa]]. Vilsack and his wife moved to Mount Pleasant in 1975, where he joined his father-in-law's law practice.<ref name="biography" />

Tom and Christie Vilsack have two sons, Jess and Doug.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Jess and Doug Vilsack|url= https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/242625/jess-and-doug-vilsack|website=justfacts.vote smart.org| publisher=[[Project Vote Smart]]|location=Washington D.C.|date=December 1, 2008|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref>

In May 2017, Vilsack's five-year-old granddaughter, Ella, died of complications from [[influenza]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Vilsacks-granddaughter-dies-following-flu-complications-423354444.html|title=UPDATE: Vilsack's granddaughter dies following flu complications|website=[[KCRG-TV|KCRG.com]]|date=May 20, 2017|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ella Vilsack Obituary, Waukee, IA |url=https://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Ella-Vilsack/Waukee-IA/1728872 |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=www.ilesfuneralhomes.com}}</ref>

Vilsack won $150,000 in the [[Powerball]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vilsack wins Powerball|url=https://www.omaha.com/news/state_and_regional/ex-iowa-gov-tom-vilsack-claims-powerball-prize/article_752db957-fc4e-5043-a643-f6a796b467ef.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212141138/https://www.omaha.com/news/state_and_regional/ex-iowa-gov-tom-vilsack-claims-powerball-prize/article_752db957-fc4e-5043-a643-f6a796b467ef.html|archive-date=February 12, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2020|website=Omaha.com|date=February 10, 2020 }}</ref>

==Electoral history==

*'''1992 election for Iowa State Senate, 49th District:'''
:'''Democratic Primary'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Iowa Secretary of State Official Canvass Summary, 1992 Primary Election|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1992primcanv.pdf|publisher=Iowa Secretary of State|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220160028/https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1992primcanv.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
::*Tom Vilsack (D), 100.0%

:'''1992 General Election:'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Iowa Secretary of State Official Canvass Summary, 1992 General Election|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1992gencanv.pdf|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220160059/https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1992gencanv.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
::*Tom Vilsack (D), 50.1% – 12,544 votes
::*[[Dave Heaton]] (R), 42.1% – 10,551 votes
::*Dan Reed (I), 7.8% – 1,945 votes

*'''1994 election for Iowa State Senate, 49th District:'''
:'''Democratic Primary'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Iowa Secretary of State Official Canvass Summary, 1994 Primary Election|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1994primcanv.pdf|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220155516/https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1994primcanv.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
::*Tom Vilsack (D), 99.9% – 1,201 votes
::*''scattering'', 0.1% – 1 vote

:'''1994 General Election:'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Iowa Secretary of State Official Canvass Summary, 1994 General Election|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1994gencanv.pdf|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220155551/https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/results/90s/1994gencanv.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
::*Tom Vilsack (D), 98.8% – 12,288 votes
::*''scattering'', 1.2% – 145 votes

*{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary results<ref name="Primary election results1">{{cite web |url=http://publications.iowa.gov/135/1/elections/10-7.pdf |title= Iowa Primary Election - June 2, 1998 Canvass by Counties of the Votes Cast for United States Senator |website=State Library of Iowa |access-date=February 29, 2024 }}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tom Vilsack|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=59,130|percentage=51.20}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Mark McCormick|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=55,950|percentage=48.45}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Write-ins|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=410|percentage=0.36}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=115,490|percentage=100.00}}
{{Election box end}}
:{{Election box begin|title=Iowa gubernatorial election, 1998<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/10-8.pdf |title= Iowa General Election - November 3, 1998 Canvass by Counties of the Votes Cast for U.S. Senator |access-date= February 29, 2024 |website=Iowa Secretary of State}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Tom Vilsack|votes=500,231|percentage=52.30%|change=+10.74%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=[[Jim Ross Lightfoot]]|votes=444,787|percentage=46.51%|change=-10.29%}} 
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Reform Party (United States)|candidate=Jim Hennager|votes=5,606|percentage=0.59%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Natural Law Party (United States)|candidate=Jim Schaefer|votes=3,144|percentage=0.33%|change=-0.05%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent politician|candidate=Mark Kennis|votes=2,006|percentage=0.21%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate||party=Write-ins|candidate=|votes=641|percentage=0.07%|change=}}
{{Election box majority||votes=55,444|percentage=5.80%|change=-9.44%}}
{{Election box turnout||votes=956,415|percentage=|change=}}
{{Election box gain with party link||winner=Democratic Party (United States)|loser=Republican Party (United States)|swing=}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary results<ref name="Primary election results2">{{cite web| url=http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2002/results/PRI_Governor.pdf |title= Canvass Summary |date= July 1, 2002 |publisher=State of Iowa |access-date=February 29, 2024}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tom Vilsack (incumbent)|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=79,277|percentage=98.55}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Write-ins|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=1,166|percentage=1.45}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=80,443|percentage=100}}
{{Election box end}}

:{{Election box begin|title=Iowa gubernatorial election, 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2002/results/GovernorCanvass.pdf |title= 2002 General Election - Governor/Lieutenant Governor |date=January 13, 2003 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=Iowa Secretary of State}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Tom Vilsack (incumbent)|votes=540,449|percentage=52.69%|change=+0.39%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Doug Gross|votes=456,612|percentage=44.51%|change=-2.00%}} 
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party (United States)|candidate=Jay Robinson|votes=14,628|percentage=1.43%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=Clyde Cleveland|votes=13,098|percentage=1.28%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate||party=Write-ins|candidate=|votes=1,025|percentage=0.10%|change=}}
{{Election box majority||votes=83,837|percentage=8.17%|change=+2.37%}}
{{Election box turnout||votes=1,025,802|percentage=|change=}}
{{Election box hold with party link||winner=Democratic Party (United States)|loser=Republican Party (United States)|swing=}}
{{Election box end}}

==See also==
*[[List of United States Cabinet members who have served more than eight years]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/our-secretary Biography] at the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100719072354/http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=bios_vilsack.xml Biography] at the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (2009–2017, archived)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130329000531/http://www.charlierose.com/guest/view/486 Appearances] on ''[[Charlie Rose]]''
*{{C-SPAN|57584}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Offices and distinctions
|list1 =
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bonnie Campbell (lawyer)|Bonnie Campbell]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[List of Governors of Iowa|Governor of Iowa]]|years=[[1998 Iowa gubernatorial election|1998]], [[2002 Iowa gubernatorial election|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Chet Culver]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Gary Locke]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Democratic Governors Association]]|years=2003–2004}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bill Richardson]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Evan Bayh]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Democratic Leadership Council]]|years=2005–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Harold Ford Jr.|Harold Ford]]}}

{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Terry Branstad]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Governors of Iowa|Governor of Iowa]]|years=1999–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Chet Culver]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Ed Schafer]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Secretary of Agriculture]]|years=2009–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sonny Perdue]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Sonny Perdue]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Secretary of Agriculture]]|years=2021–2025}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Brooke Rollins]]}}

{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ken Salazar]]|as=Former US Cabinet Member}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Steven Chu]]|as=Former US Cabinet Member}}
{{s-end}}
}}

{{Navboxes
|list =
{{USSecAg}}
{{Biden cabinet}}
{{Obama cabinet}}
{{DLCChairs}}
{{Governors of Iowa}}
{{United States presidential election, 2008}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vilsack, Tom}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century mayors of places in Iowa]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Iowa General Assembly]]
[[Category:21st-century Iowa politicians]]
[[Category:Albany Law School alumni]]
[[Category:American adoptees]]
[[Category:Biden administration cabinet members]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2008 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Catholics from Iowa]]
[[Category:Democratic Party governors of Iowa]]
[[Category:Democratic Party Iowa state senators]]
[[Category:Hamilton College (New York) alumni]]
[[Category:Iowa lawyers]]
[[Category:Mayors of places in Iowa]]
[[Category:Obama administration cabinet members]]
[[Category:People from Mount Pleasant, Iowa]]
[[Category:Politicians from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Secretaries of agriculture of the United States]]
[[Category:Shady Side Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Delta Upsilon members]]