Tom Sawyer
Sawyer in 2001
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 28th district
In office
February 20, 2007 – December 31, 2016
Preceded byKimberly Zurz
Succeeded byVernon Sykes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 14th district
In office
January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byJohn F. Seiberling
Succeeded bySteve LaTourette
58th Mayor of Akron, Ohio
In office
January 9, 1984 – December 30, 1986[1]
Preceded byRoy Ray
Succeeded byDon Plusquellic
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 44th district
In office
January 3, 1977 – December 31, 1983
Preceded byPaul Wingard
Succeeded byTom Watkins
Personal details
Born
Thomas Charles Sawyer

(1945-08-15)August 15, 1945
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 20, 2023(2023-05-20) (aged 77)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJoyce Handler
Children1
Alma materUniversity of Akron (B.A., M.A.)
ProfessionEducator

Thomas Charles Sawyer (August 15, 1945 – May 20, 2023) was an American politician of the Democratic Party. During a career that spanned five decades, he represented his hometown of Akron, Ohio, across multiple levels of government.[2] He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1977 to 1983, the Mayor of Akron from 1984 to 1986, a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2003, and a member of the Ohio Senate from 2007 to 2016.[2][3]

Early life

Sawyer was born in Akron, Ohio.[4] After graduating from Buchtel High School in Akron,[4] Sawyer received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Akron in 1968.[4] He also joined the Alpha Phi chapter of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Later, Sawyer earned a master of arts degree from Akron in 1970.[4] He worked as an English teacher in Cleveland before seeking political office, winning a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in 1977.[5][6]

Mayor of Akron

In November 1983, Sawyer defeated the incumbent Republican Mayor of Akron, Roy Ray, in a close election.[5] Sawyer was the first Democrat to be elected Mayor of Akron in over 18 years.[5] No Republican has held the mayor's seat in Akron since Sawyer upset Ray in 1983.[7]

On December 20, 1984, during Sawyer's first year as mayor, an explosion at the Akron Recycle Energy System plant caused the deaths of three people.[8] Sawyer helped manage the aftermath of the tragedy and assisted in the investigation.[8] Speaking to the New York Times, Sawyer noted that S&W Waste, of Kearny, New Hersey, had sent the Akron plant waste materials containing highly flammable chemicals on the day of the explosions.[8]

United States Congress

Sawyer successfully ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress in the 1986 midterm elections and took office on January 3, 1987.[9] He would then serve eight terms in Congress.[9]

Congressman Sawyer gained notoriety as Chairman of the House subcommittee overseeing the 1990 U.S. census.[10] He made national news with his study of the 1990 census and subsequent determination that it had failed to count at least two million black Americans.[11] Sawyer and others attempted to readjust the census figures to include a more accurate count of black Americans and the U.S. population as a whole, but their efforts were opposed.[11][12] When the Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher refused to adjust the census totals, Congressman Sawyer called the decision a "gerrymander on a national scale."[12] The national undercount in 1990 was eventually estimated to exclude around 1.6% of the population.[6]

Notable votes

In 1993, Sawyer voted for President Bill Clinton's federal budget bill.[13] He voted against the Welfare Reform Act of 1996.[14] Sawyer also voted against the impeachment of President Clinton.[15] On the House floor during this debate, Sawyer quoted Sir Thomas More in defense of Clinton and in condemnation of the Congressional impeachment proceedings.[16]

One of the most controversial votes cast by Tom Sawyer during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives was his vote for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).[17][18][19] Sawyer called his vote "the toughest decision I've ever had to make in public life."[19]

Sawyer voted against authorization for the deployment of United States armed forces in Iraq in 2002.[20]

Exit from Congress

2002 primary campaign

A round of redistricting following the 2000 census redrew Ohio's congressional map. The state lost a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.[21] A newly configured district, the 17th, placed large parts of Youngstown in the same district as parts of Akron.[21][22] The new district most closely resembled the one recently vacated by U.S. Representative Jim Traficant, who had been convicted on corruption charges and sent to federal prison.[23] Traficant's protege, State Senator Tim Ryan, defeated Sawyer in a late upset.[18] Sawyer outspent Ryan 6-1, but ultimately lost the election.[18] Despite maintaining high pro-union ratings throughout his career, Sawyer's vote for NAFTA is often credited at the reason Tim Ryan defeated the 8-term Congressman.[17][18][22]

2006 primary campaign

Sawyer again sought to return to Congress during the 2006 Democratic primary. He aimed to replace then-Congressman Sherrod Brown in the 13th district, after Brown vacated the seat to run for the U.S. Senate. However, former State Representative Betty Sutton won an 8-way primary and went on to win the general election with support from national Democrats and EMILY's List.[24]

Ohio Senate

When Akron-based State Senator Kim Zurz was appointed to run the Ohio Department of Commerce in Spring of 2007, Sawyer was selected by legislative leaders to fill the vacancy.[25]

As a member of the Ohio Senate Controlling Board, Sawyer voted to adopt Medicaid expansion in Ohio.[26][27] Ohio's Medicaid expansion covered thousands of Ohioans who previously did not have insurance.[28] The state share costs were offset by small insurance and sales taxes.[28]

During the 130th and 131st General Assemblies, Sawyer jointly sponsored resolutions with Republican Senator Frank LaRose to reform the drawing of legislative district lines in Ohio.[29][30][31] The House and Senate eventually passed a version of the senators' proposal and sent it to the Ohio voters as State Issue 1 in November 2015.[32] The resolution passed with 71% of the vote.[33] This law, once implemented, will end the practice of gerrymandering (partisan drawing of legislative district lines) for Ohio legislative districts.[32] Senators Sawyer and LaRose at one time were working on a measure that would end gerrymandering at the Congressional level in Ohio as well.[33][34][35]

During the 131st General Assembly, Senator Sawyer helped the legislature adopt House Bill 2, which was a version of Sawyer's Senate Bill 148,[36] to reform Ohio's charter school oversight laws.[37][38][39][40]

In the November 2008 general election, Sawyer held his Senate seat by defeating Republican James Carr.[41]

In 2012, Sawyer was elected to a second full term, defeating Republican Robert Roush 71.5% to 28.5%.[42] He served as Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee from 2012-14.

In 2015, he considered running again for Akron mayor after the abrupt resignation of longtime incumbent mayor Don Plusquellic. Sawyer eventually decided against the run.[43]

Sawyer's tenure in the Ohio Senate concluded at the end of 2016. The state's term limit rules barred Sawyer from seeking the seat for a third consecutive term.[44] He was replaced by Democrat Vernon Sykes.

Committee assignments

Legislative commissions

  • Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission[45]
  • School Facilities Construction Commission[45]
  • Controlling Board[45]

Personal life

Sawyer lived in Akron. He and his wife, the former Joyce Handler, had a daughter.[46] He died from complications of Parkinson's disease at a care facility in Akron on May 20, 2023, at the age of 77.[6][47]

Electoral history

Ohio Senate 28th District: 2008 to 2012
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2012 Tom Sawyer 104,697 71.88% Robert Roush 40,952 28.12%
2008 Tom Sawyer 108,168 68.36% James Carr 50,064 31.64%
Ohio's 14th Congressional District: 1986 to 2000
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct Libertarian Votes Pct Independent Votes Pct
2000 Tom Sawyer 149,184 64.80% Rick Wood 71,432 31.00% William Mcdaniel Jr. 5,603 2.40% Walter Keith 3,869 1.70%
1998 Tom Sawyer 106,020 62.73% Tom Watkins 62,997 37.27%
1996 Tom Sawyer 124,136 54.34% Joyce George 95,307 41.72% Ryan Lewis 16 0.01% Terry Wilkinson 8,976 3.93%
1994 Tom Sawyer 89,093 51.90% Lynn Slaby 76,090 48.10%
1992 Tom Sawyer 125,430 67.80% Robert Morgan 64,090 32.20%
1990 Tom Sawyer 90,090 59.60% Jean Bender 66,090 40.40%
1988 Tom Sawyer 159,090 74.70% Loretta Lang 50,090 25.30%
1986 Tom Sawyer 86,004 53.70% Lynn Slaby 73,230 46.30%

*Italics indicate incumbent

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roberts, Sam (May 26, 2023). "Tom Sawyer, Congressman Who Challenged Census Undercount, Dies at 77". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  2. 1 2 "Senator Tom Sawyer (D) - Biography | The Ohio Senate". ohiosenate.gov. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Ohio Senate Districts 2012-2022" (PDF). Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "SAWYER, Thomas Charles - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 "Daily Kent Stater 9 November 1983 — Kent State University". dks.library.kent.edu. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Roberts, Sam (May 26, 2023). "Tom Sawyer, Congressman Who Challenged Census Undercount, Dies at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ Jones, Bob (September 7, 2015). "Akron mayoral race will became clear after Tuesday's primary election". newsnet5. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "FATAL BLAST IN AKRON IS LAID TO FLAMMABLE WASTE". The New York Times. February 3, 1985. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "SAWYER, Thomas Charles - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  10. ↑ Times, Felicity Barringer, Special To The New York (October 5, 1990). "After the Census, Hard Questions: Adjust the Count? How? When?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. 1 2 Times, Felicity Barringer, Special To The New York (March 12, 1991). "2 Million Blacks Not Counted, Head of Census Panel Asserts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. 1 2 Barringer, Felicity (July 16, 1991). "U.S. WON'T REVISE 1990 CENSUS, SAYS CHIEF OF COMMERCE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  13. ↑ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 199". Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. May 27, 1993. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  14. ↑ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 331". Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. July 18, 1996. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Roll Call: See How Your Representative Voted". partners.nytimes.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  16. ↑ Apple, R. W. Jr. (December 20, 1998). "IMPEACHMENT: NEWS ANALYSIS; What Next? Don't Guess". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "17TH DISTRICT 4 labor unions endorse Sen. Ryan". www.vindy.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "A Congressman's Defeat Spells Trouble for Business Democrats". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  19. 1 2 Wines, Michael (November 17, 1993). "THE FREE TRADE ACCORD: A Hard-Won Vote; Voting Yes on Trade Accord Is Folly in Rust Belt. Or Is It?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  20. ↑ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 455". Office of the Clerk of The United States House of Representatives. October 10, 2002. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  21. 1 2 "CNN.com - Poll: Traficant trails in re-election bid - May 13, 2002". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  22. 1 2 Dyer, Bob. "Wild man at heart feels need for speed". www.ohio.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  23. ↑ Steinberg, Nichole M. Christian, John H. Cushman Jr, Sherri Day, Sam Dillon, Neil A. Lewis, Robert Pear, Terry Pristin, Philip Shenon, Jacques; Report, Leslie Wayne Contributed To This (November 7, 2002). "THE 2002 ELECTIONS: MIDWEST; OHIO". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ "Ohio Silver!". NPR.org. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Leader Publications, Akron, Ohio -- Tom Sawyer chosen for District 28 seat". www.akron.com. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Controlling Board gives OK to use of federal money to pay for Medicaid expansion in Ohio". cleveland.com. October 22, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Medicaid expansion funding gets approval". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  28. 1 2 "A look at the numbers around Ohio's Medicaid expansion". The Morning Journal. July 20, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Sub. S. J. R. No. 8 As Reported by the Senate State Government Oversight and Reform Committee". archives.legislature.state.oh.us. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Am. S. J. R. No. 1 As Reported by the Senate State Government Oversight and Reform Committee". archives.legislature.state.oh.us. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Editorial: Fix this ridiculous map". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  32. 1 2 "Redistricting reform plan passes House, needs voter approval". cleveland.com. December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  33. 1 2 "Voters approve issue to reform Ohio's redistricting process". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Ohio senators push for congressional redistricting". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Reforming congressional redistricting could take time, hinge on opinions of members of Congress". cleveland.com. November 5, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Ohio Senate leads on reform". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Charter-school reforms unveiled in Ohio Senate need tweaks but are a significant step forward: editorial". cleveland.com. April 22, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Ohio passes major charter school reform bill; pension controversy to have more study". cleveland.com. October 7, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Ohio Senate bill tackles charter school reform". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Lawmakers pass charter school reform bill". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  41. ↑ Ohio Senator: November 4, 2008 Archived February 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Ohio Secretary of State
  42. ↑ Husted, Jon 2012 general election results (November 6, 2012)
  43. ↑ Stephanie Warsmith (May 23, 2023). "Akron politician Tom Sawyer dies after long illness". Akron Beacon Journal.
  44. ↑ Warsmith, Stephanie. "Vernon Sykes plans to run for Ohio Senate, seeking state Sen. Tom Sawyer's seat; Sawyer to be term limited next year". www.ohio.com. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Antonio Remembers Tom Sawyer". Senate.
  46. ↑ "Longtime Akron politician Tom Sawyer dies after long illness". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Thomas C. "Tom" C. Sawyer". Billow Funeral Homes. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.