Tom Houghton
Encyclopedia
Thomas D. "Tom" Houghton is a Democratic
politician and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
. He represented the 13th
district from 2009 through 2010.
's representative on the executive committee to PennDOT's Route 41 Commission and is a board member of the White Clay Creek Watershed Association.
Board of Supervisors. He served as chairman of that body for several years.
district seat in 2006. He was defeated
by Republican
incumbent Art Hershey by 1,800 votes.
On November 4, 2008, he was elected
to the State House, succeeding Hershey, who had declined to run for reelection. He defeated his main opponent, John Lawrence, by a margin of 47.5% to 46.4%.
Houghton's original opponent, Curtis Mason, was forced to drop out of the race. In the end, he narrowly defeated his opponent in a count that stretched into the morning following election day.
In the 2010 election
, Houghton was defeated by over 2,000 (over 10%) votes by his opponent from two years prior, John Lawrence.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
. He represented the 13th
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 13
The 13th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located within Chester County and includes the following areas:* Atglen* East Fallowfield Township* East Nottingham Township* Elk Township* Franklin Township* Highland Township...
district from 2009 through 2010.
Personal life
After working his way through law school, Tom married his high school sweetheart Danelle and went into private practice. As they were just starting their lives together, they had to grapple with the loss of both of their mothers to cancer. In search of a fresh start, they began exploring the winding roads of Southern Chester County. “The sprawling farms and quiet meadows stole our hearts. We knew we were home.” In 1999, the couple settled in London Grove Township and opened up a storefront for his law practice in West Grove. Tom and Danelle have two children, Marley, 10, and Benjamin, 6, and have served for a total of six years as Foster Parents with Chester County’s Children & Youth Services.Professional career
Houghton is a practicing attorney. He has served as London Grove TownshipLondon Grove Township, Pennsylvania
London Grove Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,475 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which 0.06% is water....
's representative on the executive committee to PennDOT's Route 41 Commission and is a board member of the White Clay Creek Watershed Association.
Township Supervisor
In 2002, Houghton was elected to the London Grove TownshipLondon Grove Township, Pennsylvania
London Grove Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,475 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which 0.06% is water....
Board of Supervisors. He served as chairman of that body for several years.
State House Campaigns
Houghton first ran for the 13thPennsylvania House of Representatives, District 13
The 13th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located within Chester County and includes the following areas:* Atglen* East Fallowfield Township* East Nottingham Township* Elk Township* Franklin Township* Highland Township...
district seat in 2006. He was defeated
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent Art Hershey by 1,800 votes.
On November 4, 2008, he was elected
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2008
The 2008 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 4, 2008, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on April 22, 2008. The term of office for those elected in 2008 will run from January 6, 2009 until November 2010...
to the State House, succeeding Hershey, who had declined to run for reelection. He defeated his main opponent, John Lawrence, by a margin of 47.5% to 46.4%.
Houghton's original opponent, Curtis Mason, was forced to drop out of the race. In the end, he narrowly defeated his opponent in a count that stretched into the morning following election day.
In the 2010 election
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2010
The 2010 elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 2, 2010, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 18, 2010. The term of office for those elected in 2010 will run from January 4, 2011 until November 30, 2012...
, Houghton was defeated by over 2,000 (over 10%) votes by his opponent from two years prior, John Lawrence.