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Tom Sawyer (Ohio politician)

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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]

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,[citation needed] 1984 – December 30,[citation needed] 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

Early life

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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

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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 Jersey, had sent the Akron plant waste materials containing highly flammable chemicals on the day of the explosions.[8]

United States Congress

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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

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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

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2002 primary campaign

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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

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See also: 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 13

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

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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

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Legislative commissions

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

Personal life

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Roberts, Sam (May 26, 2023). "Tom Sawyer, Congressman Who Challenged Census Undercount, Dies at 77". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d "SAWYER, Thomas Charles - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Daily Kent Stater 9 November 1983 — Kent State University". dks.library.kent.edu. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c "FATAL BLAST IN AKRON IS LAID TO FLAMMABLE WASTE". The New York Times. February 3, 1985. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "17TH DISTRICT 4 labor unions endorse Sen. Ryan". www.vindy.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c d "A Congressman's Defeat Spells Trouble for Business Democrats". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  19. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "CNN.com - Poll: Traficant trails in re-election bid - May 13, 2002". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  22. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Redistricting reform plan passes House, needs voter approval". cleveland.com. December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  33. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e f g "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.
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Ohio Senate
Preceded by Senator from 28th District
2007–2016 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 14th congressional district
1987–2003 		Succeeded by
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