Buzz Thomas

Background

Thomas was born in Detroit in 1969 and is a graduate of Detroit Country Day School and the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

His district is completely located in the city of Detroit and includes portions of northwest, east, central, and southwest Detroit. Before becoming an elected official he worked as a homebuilder in metro Detroit, where he was Construction Manager for Parkside Building Company and Avis Technical Park partners, managing both commercial renovations and single-family, residential construction. He also held senior positions with United States Representatives Barbara Rose Collins (Michigan) and Bob Carr (Michigan).

He represented the 10th district, located in northwest Detroit.

He served in the House for six years. In 2002, he was elected by his House colleagues as the House Democratic Leader, one of the youngest members ever elected to that position and only the second African American elected as a House leader.

In 2002 he was elected to the Michigan Senate and re-elected in 2006. He is one of the few Michigan legislators to have held leadership positions in both the Michigan House and Senate.

Senator Thomas received many recognitions for his service, including being named one of Michigan’s five “Key Technology Leaders” by the Detroit Free Press, One Of Four Up-And-Coming Leaders by Savoy, “Most Dedicated Detroiter” and “Best Local Politician” by Real Detroit Magazine, "A Rising Star" by both The Detroit News and Hotline, and an "Under-40 Political "Buzz" Saw" by the Michigan Front Page.

Buzz Thomas is the ranking Democrat on the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee. He also serves on the Homeland Security and Emerging Technologies Committee and on the Energy Policy Committee. 2006 Election for the Michigan State Senate - 4th District

2002 Election for the Michigan State Senate - 4th District

2000 Election for the Michigan State House

1998 Election for the Michigan State House

1996 Election for the Michigan State House.

Achievements

• He has received awards and recognition from over two dozen community groups, publications, and organizations.

Membership

He was a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 4th District since 2003 and served as the Democratic Floor Leader until 2011 when he reached his two term limit. Previously he was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1997 to 2002.

Connections

colleague:

Senate Democratic

Uncle:

William Webb