Thomas Henry Burke

Thomas Henry Burke (May 6, 1904 – September 12, 1959) was an American military veteran and politician who represented Ohio in the United States House of Representatives for one term from 1949 to 1951.

Early life and career Burke was born in Toledo, Ohio where he attended St. Patrick's grade school and St. John's College.

Naval service After his formal education, he served in the United States Navy as a pharmacist's mate from 1923 to 1927 and in the Naval Fleet Reserve from 1927 to 1939. He worked for the Dana from 1928 to 1937 and was an official of United Automobile Workers Union from 1938 to 1948.

Early political career Burke was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1941 and 1942. He also served as a member of the Toledo City Council from 1944 to 1948. He was vice mayor of Toledo in 1948.

Congress Burke was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-first Congress (January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1951) but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1950 to the Eighty-second Congress.

Later career After leaving Congress, he was a labor and manpower adviser in the National Production Authority in 1951. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1952 to the Eighty-third Congress. He moved to Alexandria, Virginia and worked as a legislative representative for the United Automobile Workers' Union.

Death He died in Arlington, Virginia and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Electoral history Year Democratic Republican Other 1948 Thomas H. Burke: 85,409 Homer A. Ramey (Incumbent): 73,394 (none) 1950 Thomas H. Burke (Incumbent): 45,268 Homer A. Ramey: 43,301 Frazier Reams (Independent): 51,024 1952 Thomas H. Burke: 61,047 Gilmore Flues: 46,989 Frazier Reams (Independent, Incumbent): 74,821