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Thomas A. Luken (born July 9, 1925, in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American politician of the Democratic party.
Luken received his high school diploma in 1942 from Purcell High School . During the Second World War, Luken served as a U.S. marine. In 1947, he earned a bachelor of arts degree from Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio), after having earned some credits at Bowling Green State University. In 1950, he earned a law degree at Salmon P. Chase Law School (Cincinnati, Ohio) and began practicing law.
From 1955 to 1961, Luken served as solicitor for the city of Deer Park, Ohio. He was then appointed to the office of U.S. attorney, in which he served from 1961 to 1964. He served on the Cincinnati city council from 1964 to 1967, from 1969 to 1971, and from 1973 to 1974. He also was the mayor of Cincinnati from 1971 to 1972.
In 1974, Luken won a special election to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to fill out the term of William J. Keating, a Republican who resigned from his seat.. However, he failed to win a term to next full term. In 1976, Luken ran for office as a U.S. Representative from Ohio. He unseated Republican incumbent Donald D. Clancy, beginning service in 1977 (95th Congress). Luken won re-election in 1978, defeating Stanley J. Aronoff, and in 1980, defeating Thearon "Tom" Atkins.
Following the 1980 census, Luken swapped congressional districts with Republican Bill Gradison. In 1982, Luken won re-election against John E. Held. In 1984, he won a fifth term against Norman A. Murdock. His sixth victory for the U.S. House came in 1986 against Fred E. Morr. Luken won a final term in 1988 against future U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, after which he decided to retire in favor of his son, Charlie Luken, who won a term to his father's former seat.
Luken's son, Charles J. Luken, also served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio and as mayor of Cincinnati, a position he currently holds. His brother, Jim Luken, was a labor leader and also served as a Cincinnati mayor.
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