Thomas Trail
Thomas Trail (b. July 29, 1935) is a former Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives, representing District 6A from 1996 to 2012.
Trial graduated with his Bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho in Animal Science in 1958 and later graduated from the University of Maryland-College Park with his Bachelor's degree in 1960. Trial also earned a doctoral degree in education from Montana State University in 1968.
Trial is a former professor and also served in the US Army Reserve and in the Peace Corps.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Trail served on these committees:
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Trail served on these committees:
Issues
Higher education
Rep. Jeff Thompson sponsored the measure to fund the four-year public universities and colleges with $209 million in FY 2012, which passed on a 47-21 vote during the 2011 session. That budget is a $7.6 million reduction from fiscal year 2011.
Though state support dropped, budgets for universities and colleges increased by about 5 percent, because of the addition of various funding measures, including student fees. In fiscal year 2011, this budget received $377.6 million in total funding, a number that will jump to $396.7 million in fiscal year 2012.
Rep. Trail said professors are fleeing the state for other institutions.
“We are just not adequately supporting higher education,” said Trail.
Rep. Phylis King said businesses often open new operations in areas of the country that are able to provide an educated workforce. King argued that continual education cuts would cause businesses to be wary to move to the Gem State.
“We are not providing that [an educated workforce] when we cut education.” said King.
Rep. Grant Burgoyne said “our best and brightest are leaving us” because of cuts. He said that the state is not funding enough education to keep up with the global economy. “America must be No. 1, but we are not doing our job,” said Burgoyne.[1]
Presidential preference
2012
Thomas Trail endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[2]
Elections
2012
Trail did not run for re-election in 2012.
2010
Trail wom re-election to District Seat 6A in 2010 against Democrat Judith L. Brown. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary on May 25th. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.[3]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 6A (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Thomas Trail (R)
|
6,985 | 57.4% | ||
| Judith Brown (D) | 5,180 | 42.6% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Republican Tom Trail won re-election to the Idaho House of Representatives District 6A receiving 53.4% of the vote (9,146 votes), ahead of Democrat Judith Brown who received 46.6% of the vote (7,981 votes).[4]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 6A (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Tom Trail (R)
|
9,146 | 53.4% | ||
| Judith Brown (D) | 7,981 | 46.6% | ||
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Thomas is married with three children and resides in Moscow, Idaho.
External links
- Idaho House of Representatives - Thomas Trail
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996
Footnotes
- ↑ Idaho Reporter, "House clears higher education budget, sends measure to governor," April 1, 2011
- ↑ Mitt Romney for President, "Mitt Romney Announces Support of Idaho Elected Officials," February 8, 2012
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed April 16, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2008 General election results," accessed April 16, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Idaho House of Representatives District 6A 1996–2012 |
Succeeded by Thyra K. Stevenson (R) |
