Aug. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson ended his presidential bid yesterday after finishing a disappointing sixth in the straw poll held in the neighboring state of Iowa.

Thompson, who was secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services, had said a strong showing in Iowa would be essential to his long-shot bid for the White House. He started his presidential campaign in December and will now return to the private sector and not-for-profit work, his campaign said in a statement yesterday.

``I have no regrets about running,'' Thompson said in the statement. ``I felt my record as governor of Wisconsin and secretary of Health and Human Services gave me the experience I needed to serve as President, but I respect the decision of the voters.''

Thompson had said he would drop out of the race if he did not finish first or second in the straw poll. He received just 9 percent of the vote in the early indicator of Iowa Republican sentiment prior to the state's caucuses, which are typically held in January.

Mitt Romney won the event with 31 percent, followed by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee who received 18 percent. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Senator John McCain didn't participate in the vote.

To contact the reporter on this story: Adam Satariano in San Francisco at asatariano1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 13, 2007 00:01 EDT