Tom Lackey

Tom Lackey
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 36th district
Assumed office
December 1, 2014
Preceded by Steve Fox
Personal details
Born (1959-03-12) March 12, 1959
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Children Justin, Jani
Residence Palmdale, California
Alma mater Utah State University
Occupation Politician

Tom Lackey is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Republican representing the 36th district, encompassing parts of Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita Valley. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, he was a Palmdale city councilmember.

Prior to State Assembly

Tom Lackey grew up in the small town of Boron, California. He became an Eagle Scout during high school in addition to being active in student government. He later received a degree in Special Education from Utah State University.

Lackey later joined the California Highway Patrol and served for 28 years. During this time he served on the Palmdale Elementary School Board, and was later elected to two terms on the Palmdale City Council.[1]

While serving on the Palmdale City Council, Lackey was made a city appointee to the California Contract Cities Association, the Antelope Valley Crime Task Force, Antelope Valley Transit Authority Board, and the Antelope Valley Human Relations Task Force.

Election to State Assembly

In 2014 Lackey announced he planned to run for 36th California State Assembly District against the incumbent Steve Fox who was considered one of the most vulnerable democrats in the legislature.[2] The race was one of the costliest of the 2014 elections with both campaigns and independent expenditures spending a combined $2.2 million.[3] Lackey went on to defeat Fox with 60% of the vote to Fox's 40%. He was sworn into office on December 5, 2014.

2014 California State Assembly

California's 36th State Assembly district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Lackey 15,095 41.1
Democratic Steve Fox (incumbent) 12,055 32.8
Republican JD Kennedy 4,460 12.2
Republican Suzette M. Martinez 3,390 9.2
Democratic Kermit F. Franklin 1,706 4.6
Total votes 36,706 100.0
General election
Republican Tom Lackey 42,107 60.2
Democratic Steve Fox (incumbent) 27,866 39.8
Total votes 69,973 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

2016 California State Assembly

California's 36th State Assembly district election, 2016
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Lackey (incumbent) 35,019 48.2
Democratic Steve Fox 21,541 29.6
Democratic Darren W. Parker 11,236 15.5
Democratic Ollie M. McCaulley 4,891 6.7
Total votes 72,687 100.0
General election
Republican Tom Lackey (incumbent) 77,801 53.1
Democratic Steve Fox 68,755 46.9
Total votes 146,556 100.0
Republican hold

Career in State Assembly

Lackey began his term by declining a pay increase that was approved for Legislators' salaries. He was one of six Assemblymembers to decline the raise.[4] He is currently a member of the following Assembly committees: Budget, Health, Public Safety, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management. Additionally, he is the Vice Chair of the Administrative Review committee.

Tom Lackey at the dias.

Lackey authored a roadside "drug breathalyzer" bill, Assembly Bill 1356[5] that was rejected by state legislators "But that bill failed this spring, in large part because THC levels are not good indicators of intoxication..."[6] Lackey also co-authored the bi-partisan and historic Medical Marijuana Safety and Regulation Act (AB 266) in 2015. Part of a package of laws intended to create a statewide framework for regulating medical marijuana. Part of the law is aimed at addressing the proliferation of drugged driving in California and is funding a study at UC San Diego to create tools to recognize marijuana-impairment in drivers.[7][8]

The private lobbying group named "California Police Chiefs Association" named Lackey their 2015 Legislator of the Year for his promotion of on drug-impaired driving bills.[9] He also received the 2015 Legislator of Year from the secular "Easter Seals" organization[10] for his leadership in successfully advocating for increased funding for special needs Californians.[11]

References

  1. ↑ https://ad36.assemblygop.com/biography
  2. ↑ "UPDATE: Palmdale City Councilman, incumbent to vie for Assembly seat".
  3. ↑ "See the 20 most expensive political campaigns in California".
  4. ↑ Fleming, Matt (26 February 2016). "Some legislators proudly refuse pay increases".
  5. ↑ "Lackey's roadside "drug breathalyzer" bill rejected". The Antelope Valley Times. May 5, 2015.
  6. ↑ O'Neil, Stephanie (host) (1 September 2016). "How can you tell if a driver is stoned?". From Gold to Green. 89.3 KPCC.
  7. ↑ "New Medical Marijuana Laws to Tackle Drugged Driving (DUID)". ad36.asmrc.org. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  8. ↑ Tribune, San Diego Union. "State asks UCSD to find ways to detect stoned drivers".
  9. ↑ "Police Chiefs Honor Assemblymember Tom Lackey With Legislator of the Year Award".
  10. ↑ http://www.easterseals.com/who-we-are/faqs/
  11. ↑ "Easter Seals Names State Senator Mitchell and Assembly Member Lackey as 2016 Legislative Award Honorees".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.