Thomas West (American politician)

Thomas E. West (born October 12, 1964) 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.

Thomas E. West
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 49th District
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byStephen Slesnick
Personal details
Born (1964-10-12) October 12, 1964
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Lisa West
ResidenceCanton, Ohio
Alma materMount Union College
University of Akron

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

Campaigns

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 election.[5] He was sworn in on January 3, 2017.

West increased his margin of victory in his 2018 reelection, defeating Republican candidate James Haavisto 58% to 42%.[6]

Committees

West serves on the following committees: Health, Criminal Justice, Finance, Aging and Long Term Care, Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee.[7]

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%
2018 Thomas West 18,834 57.61% James Haavisto 13,859 42.39%
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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.
  6. "West wins second term as state representative". Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  7. "Committees". Retrieved November 8, 2018.
Political offices
Preceded by
Stephen Slesnick		 Ohio House of Representatives, 49th District
2017–present		 Incumbent
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