Thomas Sharp (politician)

Thomas B. Sharp (born March 8, 1940) is an American politician from the state of Delaware. He served in the Delaware State Senate for the 20th district from 1974 to 2002, including as president pro tem from 1997 to 2002 and as majority leader from 1978 to 1996.

Thomas Sharp
Sharp in 2012
President pro tempore of the Delaware Senate
In office 1997–2002
Preceded by	Richard S. Cordrey
Succeeded by	Thurman Adams Jr.
Majority leader of the Delaware Senate
In office 1978–1996
Member of the Delaware Senate from the 20th district
In office 1974–2002
Succeeded by	Karen E. Peterson
Personal details
Born	(1940-03-08) March 8, 1940 (age 85) Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Judy

Political career

Sharp was the Democratic nominee in the 1980 Delaware lieutenant gubernatorial election, losing to Republican candidate Mike Castle.

Delaware State Senate

Sharp was first elected to the Delaware State Senate in 1974, then served as Majority Leader from 1978 to 1996 and president pro tem from 1997 to 2002. He did not seek re-election in 2002.

His 1982 campaign was described as "rock-bottom in a campaign for a state Senate seat" by historian Celia Cohen; supporters of both Sharp and his Republican opponent John Czerwinski repeatedly destroyed each candidates' yard signs and Czerwinski's pet rabbit was found dead.^[1]

In 1989, Sharp supported bringing back public whipping for criminals charged with drug trafficking.^[2]

Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor

In 2005, governor Ruth Ann Minner appointed Sharp as secretary of the state Department of Labor, where he served until 2009.^[3]