Tom Luken

Tom Luken
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's first district
In office March 5, 1974 – January 3, 1975
Preceded by	William J. Keating
Succeeded by	Bill Gradison
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's second district
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	Donald D. Clancy
Succeeded by	Bill Gradison
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's first 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	July 9, 1925 Cincinnati, Ohio
Political party	Democratic
Children	Charlie Luken
Alma mater	Bowling Green State University Xavier University Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Battles/wars	World War II

Thomas Andrew Luken (born July 9, 1925, Cincinnati, Ohio) is a politician of the Democratic Party from Ohio.

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 practising law.

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.

References

1. Democrat wins Ohio Congressional election
2. Keating giving up seat for post at newspaper

References

• United States Congress. "Tom Luken (id: L000508)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.