Biography

Cecil Thomas is a Democratic politician representing Ohio's 25th House District, encompassing parts of Cincinnati, St. Bernard, Elmwood Place, Norwood, College Hill, and Corryville. Born in rural Alabama in 1952, he moved to Cincinnati at the age of eight. After graduating from Withrow High School, Thomas joined the Cincinnati Police Cadet Program, which provided free college tuition. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Technology from the University of Cincinnati and later a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute & University.

Thomas served 27 years with the Cincinnati Police Department, working across all 52 neighborhoods. In 1976, he initiated efforts to increase minority representation within the department, leading to a 40% increase in African American and female officers under two federal consent decrees. After retiring in 2000, he became the Executive Director of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, where he played a pivotal role during the 2001 civil unrest, working to restore community trust and improve police-community relations.

In 2005, Thomas was elected to the Cincinnati City Council, serving until 2014. He was then elected to the Ohio Senate, representing the 9th district from 2015 to 2022. In 2022, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 25th district.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Technology from the University of Cincinnati
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute & University

• Political Experience:

  • Cincinnati City Council Member
  • Ohio State Senator, 9th District
  • Ohio State Representative, 25th District

• Notable Achievements:

  • Increased minority representation in the Cincinnati Police Department to 40% under federal consent decrees
  • Led the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission during the 2001 civil unrest, focusing on restoring community trust
  • Served as Assistant Minority Leader in the Ohio Senate
  • Appointed as ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 133rd General Assembly
  • Served on the Government Oversight, Health, Insurance, and Local Government Committees in the Ohio Senate

Thomas is a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Sentinel Police Association, a member of the Masonic Gothic Lodge 121, and serves as the Vice President of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Action Network.