Cecil Thomas | |
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![]() Thomas in 2011 | |
Member of the OhioHouseofRepresentatives from the 25th district | |
Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Dontavius Jarrells |
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 9th district | |
In office January 6,2015 –December 31,2022 | |
Preceded by | Eric Kearney |
Succeeded by | Catherine Ingram |
Member of the Cincinnati City Council | |
In office 2006–2014 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Alabama,U.S. | October 21,1952
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Cincinnati,Ohio,U.S. |
Education | University of Cincinnati (BS) Union Institute &University (BS) |
Cecil L. Thomas (born October 21,1952) is an American politician and former law enforcement officer who has served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 25th district since 2023. He previously served as a member of the Ohio Senate from the 9th district from 2015 to 2022.
Thomas was born in rural northern Alabama and moved to Cincinnati,Ohio at a young age. He graduated from Withrow High School. [1] In 1974,Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement technology from the University of Cincinnati. He later earned another Bachelor of Science degree,in criminal justice management,from the Union Institute &University. [2]
After high school,he joined the Cincinnati police cadet program,and served the city of Cincinnati as a police officer for the next 27 years. [3] In 2005,following his retirement from the police force,Thomas ran and won election to Cincinnati City Council,where he served for the next eight years. [4]
In 2014,Thomas declared his candidacy for the Ohio Senate. Incumbent Eric Kearney was term-limited and could not run for another term. [5] He was one of numerous Democrats to vie for the nomination,including Dale Mallory,who many saw as a frontrunner. [6] He won the primary,and go on to face Charlie Winburn,another viable opponent,however this time Republican. However,Thomas defeated Winburn 56%-44%. Cecil was a candidate for the 2021 Cincinnati mayoral election,placing third in a field of six candidates. [7]