Tom West (Ohio politician)
Thomas E. West is the state representative for the 49th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Democrat. The district consists of a portion of Stark County including Canton and most of Massillon.
Tom West | |
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Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 49th District | |
Assumed office January 3, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Stephen Slesnick |
Personal details | |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Canton, Ohio |
Alma mater | Mount Union College University of Akron |
Life and career
A licensed social worker, West also owned and operated several small businesses before entering politics.[1] 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 over ten years.[2] Previously, he ran unsuccessfully for the Ohio Senate in 2006, losing to Kirk Schuring,[3] and for the Ohio House in 2008, losing the Democratic primary to Stephen Slesnick.[4] He is married with two children.
Ohio House of Representatives
In 2016, state Representative Stephen Slesnick was term-limited after serving in the House since 2008.[5] 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 William J. Healy II, who had also represented the seat and was the former Mayor of Canton.[6] Healy-Abrams herself had run for Congress against Bob Gibbs in 2012, losing a close race. Despite her name recognition, the race was competitive, and West ended up winning by 110 votes.[7]
While the seat hadn't been represented by a Republican since 1974, the general election also proved marginally competitive, with West defeating Republican Dan McMasters 57% to 43%.[8] He was sworn in on January 3, 2017.
References
- Byer, Kelly. "Brenda Kimbrough joins Canton City Council". The Repository. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
- "Thomas West to hold town hall meeting in Canton". The Repository. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
- "Our Campaigns - OH State Senate 29 Race - Nov 07, 2006". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
- "Our Campaigns - OH State House 52 - D Primary Race - Mar 04, 2008". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
- "McMasters, West square off for 49th Ohio House seat - News - The Repository - Canton, OH". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
- "Ohio House: West edges McMasters to claim open seat in 49th District - Special - The Repository - Canton, OH". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
- "Our Campaigns - OH State House 49 - D Primary Race - Mar 15, 2016". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
- "Our Campaigns - OH State House 49 Race - Nov 08, 2016". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
External links
- Ohio State Representative Tom West official site
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Stephen Slesnick |
Ohio House of Representatives, 49th District 2017–present |
Incumbent |