Thomas Barlow

Thomas Jefferson "Tom" Barlow III (August 7, 1940 – January 31, 2017), was an American Democratic politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky's 1st congressional district for one term.

Early life and education Barlow was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania.

Career After graduating from college, Barlow worked as a banker and business executive, and later as a conservation consultant for the Natural Resources Defense Council from 1971 to 1982. In 1986 he sought election to Congress from Kentucky's 1st district but lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Representative Carroll Hubbard.

In 1992 Barlow ran against Hubbard again; by this time, Hubbard had become embroiled in the "Rubbergate" House banking scandal. Barlow upset Hubbard in the primary and went on to win the general election over Republican Steve Hamrick. Barlow served in the 103rd Congress from January 3, 1993, to January 3, 1995.

In 1994 Barlow ran for re-election but was defeated by Ed Whitfield in an election year that saw many Republican victories nationwide, as the Republican Party won the House of Representatives for the first time in forty years.

Barlow sought the 1st District House seat again in 1998 but lost to Whitfield.