Tom Patton

For the Northern Irish politician, see Thomas Patton. For the baseball player, see Tom Patton (baseball).

Tom Patton
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2, 2023
Preceded by	Adam Miller
Constituency	17th district
In office January 2, 2017 – December 31, 2022
Preceded by	Mike Dovilla
Succeeded by	Allison Russo
Constituency	7th district
In office January 6, 2003 – November 18, 2008
Preceded by	Erin Sullivan
Succeeded by	Matt Patten
Constituency	18th district
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 24th district
In office November 18, 2008 – December 31, 2016
Preceded by	Robert Spada
Succeeded by	Matt Dolan
Personal details
Born	(1953-11-03) November 3, 1953 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Residence(s)	Strongsville, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater	Cleveland State University
Profession	Legislator

Thomas F. Patton (born November 3, 1953) is a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 17th district since 2023.

Tom’s time as a legislator began when he was elected as a Representative to Ohio's 18th House District from 2003 to 2008. He remained in the lower house throughout the 125th, 126th, and 127th Ohio General Assemblies. After his time in the lower chamber, Tom Patton was next elected to the Ohio State Senate, serving from 2008 to 2016. Patton assumed this Senatorial position two months earlier than normal due to the resignation of then incumbent Robert Spada shortly after the election. As a State Senator he represented Ohio's 24th Senatorial District for the 128th, 129th, 130th, and 131st Ohio General Assemblies. During the 130th and 131st Ohio General Assemblies Tom Patton served as the Senate Majority Leader. Patton then returned to the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 2017 onwards. He was elected to represent Ohio's 7th House District for the 132nd, 133rd, and 134th Ohio General Assemblies. During the 132nd Ohio General Assembly Tom Patton served as the House Majority Whip.

About

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Patton serves on the Incarnate Word Academy and Holy Name High School endowment boards, is a Cleveland Police Historical Society trustee, and has been a longstanding Strongsville Chamber of Commerce member. Tom Patton is also a member the Knights of Columbus, the Cleveland Police Historical Society, the AFL-CIO and serves as president of the Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 756. He is also a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

A widower, he raised his family of five daughters and one son in Strongsville and has been blessed with ten grandchildren. The 7th House District encompasses portions of Cuyahoga County and includes his hometown of Strongsville.

Though his legislative responsibilities in Columbus have grown over the years, for Representative Patton, community and family come first.

Ohio House of Representatives

With newly drawn district lines following redistricting in 2002, Patton was one of five Republicans who sought to succeed incumbent Erin Sullivan. To take the nomination, Patton received 42.33% of the vote. He went on to defeat Democrat Susan Adams in the general election with 52.4% of the vote. In his first reelection bid, Patton defeated Democrat Bobby Bland with 66.59% of the vote to take a second term. For his third term in House, Patton faced John Celebrezze in 2006 and won with 58.53% of the electorate.

Term-limited in the Senate in 2016, Patton succeeded in convincing Representative Mike Dovilla to run for his Senate seat, allowing for Patton to return to the House. Opposed in the Republican primary, Patton handily defeated Jennifer M. Herold, 79% to 21%. Dovilla lost the Republican primary for Patton's Senate seat to Matt Dolan.

Patton was unopposed in the general election, winning a seat that on paper is one of the most competitive in the state. He was sworn in for his fourth non-consecutive term in the House on January 3, 2017.

Committee Memberships

135th Ohio General Assembly 2023-2024

• Finance Subcommittee on Transportation, Chair
• Conference Committee on H.B. 23
• Finance Committee
• Insurance Committee
• Pensions Committee
• Public Utilities Committee

134th Ohio General Assembly 2021-2022

• Finance Subcommittee on Transportation, Chair
• Finance Committee
• Insurance Committee
• Public Utilities Committee

133rd Ohio General Assembly 2019-2020

• Civil Justice Committee, Vice chair
• Commerce, Labor, and Technology Committee
• Insurance Committee
• Public Utilities Committee
• Transportation and Public Safety Committee

132nd Ohio General Assembly 2017-2018

• Aging and Long Term Care Committee
• Finance Committee
• Finance Subcommittee on Transportation
• Public Utilities Committee
• Rules and Reference Committee
• Transportation and Public Safety Committee

Ohio Senate

When incumbent Bob Spada was unable to run for another term in the Ohio Senate in 2008, Patton decided to give up a fourth term in the House to run for the seat. Unopposed in the primary, Patton went on to defeat Democrat Gary Kucinich, brother of Dennis Kucinich, in the general election with 68.39% of the vote. Spada resigned his seat two months prior to the end of his term in order to take an appointment from Governor Ted Strickland. Subsequently, Senate Republicans decided to seat Patton early, in order for the Senate to have adequate representation throughout the important lame duck session. He was seated in the Senate on November 18, 2008. In 2012, Patton ran successfully for a second term, defeating Democrat Jennifer Brady with 59.16% of the vote.

Committee Memberships

131st Ohio General Assembly 2015-2016

• Transportation, Commerce and Labor Committee, Vice Chair
• Energy and Natural Resources Committee
• Finance Committee
• Finance - Corrections Subcommittee
• Government Oversight and Reform Committee
• Public Utilities Committee
• Rules and Reference Committee

130th Ohio General Assembly 2013-2014

• Transportation Committee, Vice Chair
• Energy and Natural Resources Committee
• Finance Committee
• Public Safety, Local Government, and Veterans Affairs Committee
• Public Utilities Committee
• Reference Committee
• Rules Committee

129th Ohio General Assembly 2011-2012

• Highways and Transportation Committee, Chair
• Energy and Public Utilities Committee
• Finance Committee
• Rules and Reference Committee
• Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee

128th Ohio General Assembly 2009-2010

• Highways and Transportation Committee, Chair
• Energy and Public Utilities Committee
• Finance and Financial Institutions Committee
• Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee

Run for Congress

Patton announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Ohio's 16th Congressional District on July 31, 2017.

Awards and Honors

• Thank you for support and advocacy from the Community Care Network Community Center (May 23, 2005)
• Mom For Ohio Public Service Award Special Thanks (2005)
• Distinguished Public Service Award from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #14 (September 6, 2006)
• Community Gratitude Award from New Directions (2006-2007)
• Legislator of the Year Award from Ohio Society of Professional Engineers (June 5, 2009)
• Recognition from the American Red Cross Greater Cleveland Chapter (2007)
• Recognition from the Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association (November 7, 2008)
• Recognition from D.A.R.E. Ohio (August 2010)
• Watchdog of the Treasury Award (2010)
• Samuel H. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society (May 18, 2013)
• Honors for dedication to children from Providence House (April 24, 2015)
• Irishman of the Year 2016 from the Heat & Frost Insulators Local #3
• Workers’ Compensation Outstanding Service Award from Ohio Association for Justice (May 5, 2017)
• Conservative Excellence Award from the American Conservative Union Foundation (2017)
• Ohio Dermatological Association Advocate of the Year Award (October 4, 2019)
• Recognition and thanks from the Autism Society of Ohio
• Special Thank you from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #15
• Thank you for support from Ohio Fire Fighters

Criticism

Jimmy Dimora Trial

During the trial of former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, Patton was accused of bribing former Parma School Board member J. Kevin Kelley. Patton's third cousin, Kelley had already pleaded guilty to several counts of corruption related crimes when he testified under oath as to accepting the bribes from Patton. Patton denied the claim.

Controversial comments

In an interview on America's Workforce Radio, Patton referred to his opponent, Jennifer Herold, as "gal" and "sweetie". In addition, he questioned her ability to serve because she is a mother of young children.

The comments generated national coverage. Numerous outlets such as Cosmopolitan, Gawker, and The Christian Science Monitor editorialized the story. Nate Beeler of The Columbus Dispatch also covered it, creating a cartoon regarding the comments.

External links

• The Ohio House of Representatives - Rep. Thomas F. Patton (official site)