Cecil Thomas | |
---|---|
Member of the
Ohio House of Representatives from the 25th district | |
Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Dontavius Jarrells |
Member of the
Ohio Senate from the 9th district | |
In office January 6, 2015 – December 31, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Eric Kearney |
Succeeded by | Catherine Ingram |
Member of the Cincinnati City Council | |
In office 2006–2014 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Alabama, U.S. | October 21, 1952
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
Education |
University of Cincinnati (
BS) Union Institute & University ( BS) |
Cecil L. Thomas (born October 21, 1952) is an American politician and former law enforcement officer who served as a member of the Ohio Senate from the 9th district.
Thomas was born in rural northern Alabama and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio at a young age. He graduated from Withrow High School. [1] In 1974, Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement technology from the University of Cincinnati. He later earned another Bachelor of Science degree, in criminal justice management, from the Union Institute & University. [2]
After high school, he joined the Cincinnati police cadet program, and served the city of Cincinnati as a police officer for the next 27 years. [3] In 2005, following his retirement from the police force, Thomas ran and won election to Cincinnati City Council, where he served for the next eight years. [4]
In 2014, Thomas declared his candidacy for the Ohio Senate. Incumbent Eric Kearney was term-limited and could not run for another term. [5] He was one of numerous Democrats to vie for the nomination, including Dale Mallory, who many saw as a frontrunner. [6] He won the primary, and go on to face Charlie Winburn, another viable opponent, however this time Republican. However, Thomas defeated Winburn 56%-44%. Cecil was a candidate for the 2021 Cincinnati mayoral election, placing third in a field of six candidates. [7]