Thomas West (American politician)

Thomas E. West
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 49th District
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded by Stephen Slesnick
Personal details
Born October 12, 1964
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Lisa West
Residence Canton, Ohio
Alma mater Mount Union College
University of Akron

Thomas E. West is the state representative for the 49th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district consists of a portion of Stark County, including Canton and most of Massillon.

Life and career

A licensed social worker, West also owned and operated several small businesses before entering politics. He holds a bachelor's degree from the Mount Union College, and received his Masters in Social Work from the University of Akron.

West served on the Canton City Council for 13 years, acting as the Chairman of the Annexation Committee and a member of the Capital Improvement Committee, Special Improvement District and Canton Community Improvement Corporation. He is married with two children.[1]

Ohio House of Representatives

In 2016, state Representative Stephen Slesnick was term-limited after serving in the House since 2008.[2] West was one of two Democrats to declare interest in the seat, along with Joyce-Healy Abrams, the daughter of William J. Healy, who represented the seat for twenty-five years, and granddaughter of William J. Healy II, who had also represented the seat and was the former Mayor of Canton.[3] Healy-Abrams herself had run for Congress against Bob Gibbs in 2012, losing a close race. Despite her name recognition, West ended up winning by 110 votes.[4]

West defeated Republican Dan McMasters 57% to 43% in the general eleciton.[5] He was sworn in on January 3, 2017.

Election history

Ohio House 49th District
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2016 Thomas West 24,064 56.52% Dan McMasters 18,513 43.48%

References

  1. ↑ "Representative Thomas E. West biography - Ohio House of Representatives". Retrieved 2017-03-21.
  2. ↑ "McMasters, West square off for 49th Ohio House seat - News - The Repository - Canton, OH". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  3. ↑ "Ohio House: West edges McMasters to claim open seat in 49th District - Special - The Repository - Canton, OH". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  4. ↑ "Our Campaigns - OH State House 49 - D Primary Race - Mar 15, 2016". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  5. ↑ "Our Campaigns - OH State House 49 Race - Nov 08, 2016". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
Political offices
Preceded by
Stephen Slesnick		 Ohio House of Representatives, 49th District
2017–present		 Incumbent
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