This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/pa/state/ for current information.
Bucks, Philadelphia, Montgomery Counties, PA November 4, 2008 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Tom Manion

Candidate for
US Representative; District 8

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

Tom Manion comes to the race for Congress not as a career politician, but as a regular citizen called to public service in extraordinary times. Tom grew up in the Philadelphia area and is one of ten children. His father was a salesman and his mother raised the family. Together, they worked very hard to provide. And they, like any parents, wanted the best for Tom and his brothers and sisters.

Tom's parents believed in service, though back then they called it "helping others." They believed in the promise and opportunity of America. These are beliefs Tom's parents instilled deeply in him.

Tom graduated from our public schools and then worked his own way through college, graduating from Widener University. He then went on to serve his country in the Marines.

Tom served 11 years of active duty as a Marine, and another 19 years in the Marine Reserves, retiring at the end of 2007 as a Colonel. While serving our country, Tom also furthered his education, earning a Masters Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School. The Marines strengthened in Tom the belief in helping others that his parents had nurtured.

After ending his active service, Tom began consulting for Fortune 500 companies and then, in 1990, began a successful career as a business executive at Johnson and Johnson. 1990 is also when Tom and his wife Janet moved to Bucks County.

Married now for nearly 30 years, Tom and Janet raised their children in Bucks County, sending them to our local schools. Their daughter Ryan and her husband Dave live in Doylestown with Tom's granddaughter, Maggie Rose. For nearly 20 years, our community has been Tom's home and he wants it to remain as special for future generations as it has been for him.

Tom and Janet's son, Travis, was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and gave his life in Iraq last year. He made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of public service. And in doing so, Travis reminded Tom that his service to our country - and his fellow citizens - is not over.

Today, Tom is again called to service -- inspired by his son's sacrifice, supported by his family, and committed to making a difference on all the issues that affect America and our local community.

Tom Manion is running for Congress as an outsider - an ordinary citizen - committed to changing our government so it once again works for us.

Tom's unique life experiences have prepared him to serve at this crucial time in our nation's history.

As a successful business executive and Marine Colonel, Tom has spent nearly 30 years bringing people of different views together to solve problems. He has learned firsthand that working together and building relationships gets results. And he knows that the risk of making tough decisions is much less than the risk of not making them at all.

Now Tom will bring this proven ability to bring people together to Washington - where he will lead the fight for the change that is so desperately needed to ensure every American is provided the hope and opportunity that was afforded to him and his family.

Next Page: Political Philosophy

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
November 2008 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 3, 2008 08:39
Smart Voter   <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://ca.lwv.org