Tom Luken

Last updated
Tom Luken
Tom Luken 97th Congress 1981.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Ohio's 1st district
In office
March 5, 1974 January 3, 1975
Preceded by William J. Keating
Succeeded by Bill Gradison
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Ohio's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1977 January 3, 1983
Preceded by Donald D. Clancy
Succeeded by Bill Gradison
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Ohio's 1st district
In office
January 3, 1983 January 3, 1991
Preceded by Bill Gradison
Succeeded by Charlie Luken
Mayor of Cincinnati
In office
1971–1972
Preceded by Bill Gradison
Succeeded by Ted Berry
Personal details
Born
Thomas Andrew Luken

(1925-07-09)July 9, 1925
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJanuary 10, 2018(2018-01-10) (aged 92)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s)Shirley Ann Ast (1947-2018; his death)
Children Charlie Luken, Mary Miller, Annie Hall (deceased), Timothy Luken, Margaret Sandman, Elisabeth Luken, Martha Luken, Matthew Luken
Alma mater Bowling Green State University
Xavier University
Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Battles/wars World War II

Thomas Andrew Luken (July 9, 1925 – January 10, 2018) was an American politician of the Democratic Party from Ohio, serving in the United States House of Representatives during the 1970s and 1980s.

Contents

Early life and education

Luken received his high school diploma in 1942 from Purcell High School. During the Second World War, Luken served as a U.S. Marine. In 1947, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, after having earned some credits at Bowling Green State University. In 1950, he earned a law degree at the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University and began practicing law.

Career

From 1955 to 1961, Luken served as solicitor for the city of Deer Park, Ohio. He was then appointed United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, in which he served from 1961 to 1964. He served on the Cincinnati city council from 1964 to 1967 and from 1969 to 1974. He also was the mayor of Cincinnati from 1971 to 1972.

In 1974, Luken won a special election [1] in the Cincinnati-based 1st congressional district to fill out the term of William J. Keating, a Republican who resigned his seat. [2] However, Luken was defeated later that year in his bid for a full term by Republican Bill Gradison, who had preceded him as mayor of Cincinnati. In 1976, Luken ran in the neighboring 2nd district and unseated Republican incumbent Donald D. Clancy, beginning service in 1977 (95th Congress). He was reelected six times, all by large margins. He was only the second Democrat to represent a significant portion of Cincinnati for more than one term in the 20th century.

In 1983, Luken and Gradison swapped districts as a result of the 1980 census, with Luken's district being renumbered as the 1st District. He did not run for an eighth term in 1990, opting instead to retire in favor of his son, Cincinnati mayor Charlie Luken, who won a term in his father's former seat.

Tom Luken's brother, Jim Luken, was a labor leader and also served as a Cincinnati mayor.

Death

Tom Luken died on January 10, 2018. [3]

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References

Political offices
Preceded by
Bill Gradison
Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio
1971–1972
Succeeded by
Ted Berry
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
William J. Keating
Member of the  U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 1st congressional district

1974–1975
Succeeded by
Willis D. Gradison, Jr.
Preceded by
Donald D. Clancy
Member of the  U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 2nd congressional district

1977–1983
Succeeded by
Willis D. Gradison, Jr.
Preceded by
Willis D. Gradison, Jr.
Member of the  U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 1st congressional district

1983–1991
Succeeded by
Charlie Luken