Thomas Jefferson "Tom" Barlow III (August 7, 1940 – January 31, 2017) was an American politician who served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born in Washington, D.C., he was a member of the Democratic Party and represented constituents from Kentucky in Washington during the 103rd Congress (1993–1995). He was often referred to simply as Tom Barlow.

Early life and background

Barlow was born in the nation's capital and later made his life and career in Kentucky. Public accounts describe him as someone who combined regional ties with a familiarity for federal affairs. Details of his early education and pre-congressional career are not extensively documented in widely circulated sources, but his later activity centered on issues important to his district and to western Kentucky communities.

Congressional service

Barlow served one two-year term in the United States House of Representatives, taking office in 1993. As a freshman member of Congress he took on the typical duties of a representative: participating in committee work, sponsoring and voting on legislation, and addressing constituent concerns. His tenure coincided with a turbulent political period that included substantial partisan shifts at the national level.

Key facts

  • Full name: Thomas Jefferson "Tom" Barlow III.
  • Born: August 7, 1940, in Washington, D.C..
  • Party affiliation: Democratic Party.
  • Service: Member of the U.S. House representing Kentucky, 1993–1995.
  • Later life: Resident of western Kentucky, active locally until his death in 2017.

Later life and death

After leaving Congress in 1995, Barlow returned to private life and continued to be connected to his Kentucky community. He died on January 31, 2017, in Paducah, Kentucky, at the age of 76. His passing was noted by local and regional observers who remembered his brief tenure in national office and his engagement with local concerns.

Barlow's career illustrates the transient nature of some congressional service in the modern era: a single term can nonetheless place a representative at the center of consequential national debates, while remaining rooted in regional priorities. For further reference on the institutions and places associated with his life see links to general resources on Kentucky and the role of an elected politician.