Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas
Alaska State Senate District D
Former member
In office
2007-2013
Party	Democratic
Compensation
Base salary	$50,400/year
Per diem	$189 or $234/day
Elections and appointments
Last election	November 6, 2012
First elected	2006
Term limits	N/A
Education
High school	Lathrop High School
Bachelor's	West Virginia University
Personal
Birthday	October 17, 1948
Place of birth	Fairbanks, AK
Websites
Campaign website

The information about this individual is current as of when his or her last campaign ended. See anything that needs updating? Send a correction to our editors

Joe J. Thomas (b. October 17, 1948) is a former Democratic member of the Alaska State Senate, representing the D District from 2007 to 2013.

Joe Thomas was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, attending Fairbanks Public Schools and graduating from Lathrop High School in 1966. Joe Thomas attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and later attended West Virginia University, earning his bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Thomas joined the Fairbanks Laborers Local 942 as a general laborer in 1966. He advanced quickly through the rank and file, being elected Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer in 1977, a position he would hold until 2003.

During his time heading Local 942, Thomas was active in numerous business, community and natural resource development organizations including Main Street Fairbanks, the Fairbanks Industrial Development Authority, the Resource Development Council of Alaska and the University of Alaska Board of Regents.

Committee assignments

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Thomas served on these committees:

• Education Committee, Alaska State Senate, Co-Chair
• Finance Committee, Alaska State Senate

• Subcommittee on Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Chair
• Subcommittee on Court System
• Subcommittee on Labor and Workforce Development, Chair
• Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Chair
• Subcommittee on University of Alaska

• Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, Alaska State Senate, Alternating Chair
• Transportation Committee, Alaska State Senate, Co-Chair

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Thomas served on these committees:

• Community & Regional Affairs Committee, Alaska State Senate Vice-Chairperson
• Education Committee, Alaska State Senate Co-Chairperson
• Finance Committee, Alaska State Senate

• Labor and Workforce Development Finance Sub-Committee, Chair
• Commerce, Community and Economic Development Finance Sub-Committee, Chair

• Health & Social Services Committee, Alaska State Senate
• Labor & Commerce Committee, Alaska State Senate Vice Chairperson

Elections

2012

See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2012

Thomas ran for re-election in the 2012 election for Alaska State Senate District 1 (A). He ran unopposed in the August 28, 2012, Democratic primary and was defeated by incumbent John Coghill, Jr. (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Alaska State Senate, District 1 (A), General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John Coghill Incumbent	60.5%	9,464
	Democratic	Joe Thomas Incumbent	39.5%	6,175
Total Votes				15,639

2010

See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2010

Thomas won re-election to the District D Seat in 2010. He had no primary opposition. He defeated Pete Higgins in the November 2 general election.

Alaska State Senate, District D General Election (2010)
Candidates		Votes
Joe Thomas (D)		9,723
Pete Higgins (R)		7,245

2006

In 2006 Thomas was elected to the Alaska State Senate, District D. Thomas (8,992) finished ahead of Ralph Seekins (5,952) and David Braun (415). Thomas raised $137,908 for his campaign fund.

Alaska State Senate, District D (2006)
Candidates		Votes
Joe Thomas (D)		8,992
Ralph Seekins (R)		5,952
David Braun (G)		415

Campaign donors

2010

In 2010, Thomas raised $112,675 in contributions.

His four largest contributors were:

Donor	Amount
Thomas, Joe J	$5,106
Alaska Association Of Realtors	$2,000
Electrical Workers Local 1547	$2,000
Nea-Alaska	$2,000

2006

In 2006, Thomas collected $137,908 in donations.

His five largest contributors in 2006 were:

Donor	Amount
Senate Democratic Campaign Committee of Alaska	$14,850
Joe Thomas	$5,951
Electrical Workers Local 1547	$3,000
Alaska Public Employees Association	$2,000
Laborers Local 942	$2,000

Bill Sponsorship

Here is a list of the bills sponsored by Senator Joe Thomas.

District D

Thomas represents Alaska State Senate District D, which includes Ester, Goldstream Valley, Fox, Chatanika, Two Rivers, Farmers Loop, Steese Highway, the Denali Borough and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Personal

Joe Thomas was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and has three children and two grandchildren.

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term "Joe + Thomas + Alaska + Senate"

Joe Thomas News Feed

• The IRS Suppressed the Romney Vote - RushLimbaugh.com (subscription)
• Miller ordered to pay $85K in records case - Anchorage Daily News
• Martin O'Malley Using Fundraising, Agenda To Explore 2016 Run - Huffington Post
• Looking Forward In Angst: Summertime, And The Season Is Silly - Huffington Post
• Democrats' Senate Campaigns Marked By Internal Wrangling - Huffington Post
• For lawmakers who cross the NRA, it's one strike - you're out - Daily Mail - Charleston
• Linde Applauds Leaders of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee ... - ThomasNet Industrial News Room (press release)
• The Morning Download: GM Reinvents Its Data Center - Wall Street Journal (blog)
• John Brennan, Portland 'Airport Stripper,' Plans To Fight $1000 Fine From TSA - Huffington Post
• Senate foes of gun bill suffer in polls - Reuters

External links

Suggest a link

• Official campaign website
• Facebook campaign page
• Project Vote Smart biography
• Project Vote Smart legislative profile
• Campaign Contributions: 2010, 2008, 2006
• Senate Bipartisan Working Group biography

References

Political offices
Preceded by -	Alaska State Senate District D 2007–2013	Succeeded by Mike Dunleavy (R)