Tom Luken

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.

For the American football offensive lineman, see Tom Luken (American football).
Tom Luken
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio
In office
March 5, 1974 – January 3, 1975
Preceded byWilliam J. Keating
Succeeded byBill Gradison
Constituency1st district
In office
January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1991
Preceded byDonald D. Clancy
Succeeded byCharlie Luken
Constituency2nd district (1977–1983)
1st district (1983–1991)
Mayor of Cincinnati
In office
1971–1972
Preceded byBill Gradison
Succeeded byTed 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 partyDemocratic
SpouseShirley Ann Ast (1947-2018; his death)
ChildrenCharlie Luken, Mary Miller, Annie Hall (deceased), Timothy Luken, Margaret Sandman, Elisabeth Luken, Martha Luken, Matthew Luken
Alma materBowling Green State University
Xavier University
Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Battles/warsWorld War II

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]

References
  1. Democrat wins Ohio Congressional election
  2. Keating giving up seat for post at newspaper
  3. Cincinnati political legend Thomas Luken is dead
  • Finding Aid for Thomas A. Luken papers, Archives and Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Appearances on C-SPAN
  • United States Congress. "Tom Luken (id: L000508)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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