Tom Burch

Thomas J. Burch (born July 19, 1931) is an American politician who served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1978 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Burch represented Kentucky's 30th House district, which comprised part of Jefferson County. He previously represented the same district from 1972 to 1976.

Elected to 24 two-year terms, Burch's tenure of exactly 49 years is the longest of any member of the Kentucky General Assembly.

Early life and education Thomas J. Burch was born on July 19, 1931, in Louisville, Kentucky. Burch spent his career working for General Electric from 1953 until his retirement in 1991 as a production control manager. During this time, Burch attended Bellarmine College, graduating with a degree in business in 1959.

Burch served in the United States Navy and United States Naval Reserve from 1948 to 1956.

Political career In 1969, Burch unsuccessfully ran for the Kentucky Senate, losing to incumbent Republican senator Walter Reichert. He was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives initially in 1971, serving two terms. He was defeated for reelection by Republican Jon Ackerson in 1975. He was elected again in 1977 when Ackerson retired to run for the Kentucky Senate.

In 2022, Burch was defeated by Daniel Grossberg in the Democratic primary election.

Electoral history + Year Office Primary General Result Swing . Total % . Total % . 1967 Kentucky House of Representatives (46th) 5,525 43.91% 2nd Hold 1969 Kentucky Senate (34th) 2,434 68.68% 1st 16,181 48.80% 2nd Hold 1971 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 826 44.17% 1st 3,771 55.59% 1st Hold 1973 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 4,982 66.80% 1st Hold 1975 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 3,172 43.90% 2nd Gain 1977 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 1,222 60.02% 1st 4,741 66.28% 1st Gain 1979 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 5,076 70.15% 1st Hold 1981 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 1,280 57.71% 1st 4,922 64.74% 1st Hold 1984 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 1,078 62.17% 1st 8,299 63.86% 1st Hold 1986 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 1,157 79.52% 1st 4,617 71.98% 1st Hold 1988 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 8,701 Hold 1990 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 4,456 51.98% 1st Hold 1992 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 2,373 53.31% 1st 7,919 53.25% 1st Hold 1994 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 4,417 53.47% 1st Hold 1996 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 9,218 72.12% 1st Hold 1998 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 7,164 73.61% 1st Hold 2000 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 1,549 62.71% 1st 10,354 Hold 2002 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 9,376 Hold 2004 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 12,384 70.28% 1st Hold 2006 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 9,138 74.20% 1st Hold 2008 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 15,653 Hold 2010 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 9,433 72.38% 1st Hold 2012 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 13,345 75.08% 1st Hold 2014 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 9,647 Hold 2016 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 12,678 76.79% 1st Hold 2018 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 2,179 55.76% 1st 9,935 75.51% 1st Hold 2020 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 4,692 58.78% 1st 14,521 Hold 2022 Kentucky House of Representatives (30th) 1,719 41.98% 2nd Hold