Tom Sawyer (Ohio politician)

Tom Sawyer
Sawyer in 2001
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 28th district
In office
February 20, 2007  December 31, 2016
Preceded byKimberly Zurz
Succeeded byVernon Sykes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 14th district
In office
January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byJohn F. Seiberling
Succeeded bySteve LaTourette
58th Mayor of Akron, Ohio
In office
January 9, 1984  December 30, 1986
Preceded byRoy Ray
Succeeded byDon Plusquellic
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 44th district
In office
January 3, 1977 – December 31, 1983
Preceded byPaul Wingard
Succeeded byTom Watkins
Personal details
Born
Thomas Charles Sawyer

(1945-08-15)August 15, 1945
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 20, 2023(2023-05-20) (aged 77)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJoyce Handler
Children1
Alma materUniversity of Akron (BA, MA)
ProfessionEducator

Thomas Charles Sawyer (August 15, 1945 – May 20, 2023) was an American politician of the Democratic Party. During a career that spanned five decades, he represented his hometown of Akron, Ohio, across multiple levels of government. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1977 to 1983, the Mayor of Akron from 1984 to 1986, a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2003, and a member of the Ohio Senate from 2007 to 2016.