Quick Facts
Biography
Thomas E. West is the state representative for the 49th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Democrat. The district consists of a portion of Stark County including Canton and most of Massillon.
Life and career
A licensed social worker, West also owned and operated several small businesses before entering politics. He holds a bachelor's degree from the Mount Union College, and received his masters in social work from the University of Akron.
West served on the Canton City Council for over ten years. Previously, he ran unsuccessfully for the Ohio Senate in 2006, losing to Kirk Schuring, and for the Ohio House in 2008, losing the Democratic primary to Stephen Slesnick. He is married with two children.
Ohio House of Representatives
In 2016, state Representative Stephen Slesnick was term-limited after serving in the House since 2008. West was one of two Democrats to declare interest in the seat, along with Joyce-Healy Abrams, the daughter of William J. Healy, who represented the seat for twenty-five years, and William J. Healy II, who had also represented the seat and was the former Mayor of Canton. Healy-Abrams herself had run for Congress against Bob Gibbs in 2012, losing a close race. Despite her name recognition, the race was competitive, and West ended up winning by 110 votes.
While the seat hadn't been represented by a Republican since 1974, the general election also proved marginally competitive, with West defeating Republican Dan McMasters 57% to 43%. He was sworn in on January 3, 2017.