State Sen. Tomlinson To Retire At End Of Term

One of Bucks County’s longest-serving state lawmakers will retire at the end of his term.

State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, a Republican from Bensalem Township, confirmed to LevittownNow.com he will not be seeking reelection this year.

Tomlinson serves the Sixth Senate District, which covers Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Hulmeville Borough, Ivyland Borough, Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, Lower Southampton Township, Middletown Township, Penndel Borough, Northampton Township, Warwick Township, and Wrightstown Township.

Whether Tomlinson would run again has been the focus on speculation and rumors in Harrisburg and back home in recent months.

Tomlinson said his decision came with a “full heart and a deep sense of gratitude.” He added he is proud of his time in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Tomlinson’s daughter, K.C., is a first-term state representative whose district is Bensalem Township. She is not running to replace her father.

Sources told this news organization State Rep. Frank Farry, a Republican from Langhorne Borough, is set to announce a run for Tomlinson’s seat this week.

State Rep. Wendy Thomas, a Republican from Northampton Township, kicked the tires on the seat, sources said, but she ultimately did not decide to run and recently announced her retirement at the end of her current term.

No Democrats have announced a run for the district.

With recently-approved redistricting, the Sixth Senate District will shift and slightly grow the percentage of Republicans in the district’s updated borders.

The new Sixth Senate District, which goes into effect in 2023, covers Bensalem Township, Hulmeville Borough, Ivyland Borough, Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, Lower Southampton Township, Middletown Township, Penndel Borough, Northampton Township, Upper Southampton Township, Warminster Township, Warwick Township, Warrington Township, and Wrightstown Township.

Tomlinson, a funeral director who continues to run Tomlinson Funeral Home in Bensalem Township, has been in the state senate since 1995 and has become a powerful member. The 76 year old served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives starting in 1991 before his 1994 senate run. He served a dozen years on the Bensalem School Board before going into state politics.

Tomlinson is a Bensalem High School graduate and played in the 1967 Tangerine Bowl when he was captain of the West Chester State College football team.

Over his terms, Tomlinson was known for winning in a district where Democrats outnumbered Republicans.

The 2018 election was a nail biter between Tomlinson and Democratic State Rep. Tina Davis, a Democrat from Bristol Township. Tomlinson kept his seat by just 74 votes.

Below is Tomlinson’s letter to the community on his retirement:

To my Friends and Neighbors across the Sixth Senate District: 

It is with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude that I share with you that I have  decided not to seek reelection as Senator from the Sixth Senate District of the  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When I look back to that first senate race in  1994, I have to admit that I am still somewhat amazed that we won. Even more  humbling is the fact that you all chose to send me back to the Senate six more  times. 

Throughout my years in Harrisburg, I am proud of what we have all been able to  achieve. Whether it be the work on the legislation that would allow 100% service disabled veterans to qualify for a complete exemption of property tax, to the  bipartisan work to expand CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) to ensure  that all children have access to quality healthcare, we have been able to make a  positive difference. On your behalf, I was also able to author legislation that  banned texting while driving, increased penalties for repeat DUI offenders and  increased access to affordable energy for low-income seniors. 

However, probably our most impactful work is the legalization of gaming. For 10  years, often working alone, I put forward a proposal that I knew would be  

transformative for our community. The results speak for themselves. Across the  state this legislation has generated over $17 billion in tax revenue as well, as  creating over 20,000 full-time good paying jobs. Locally, the impact was just as  great. Bensalem, as the host community, has received over $150 million in fees  from gaming. Surrounding communities have benefited from almost $50 million in  funding that they have put to work to purchase emergency vehicles, improve our  local infrastructure and to better our neighborhoods. Without this legislation, we  may not have been able to secure critical funding to keep Lower Bucks Hospital  open during hard financial times. The absence of that healthcare facility would  have been catastrophic to our community.

I am also struck by the historic levels of additional funding that we have been able  to secure for Bucks County. Millions of dollars have come to our community to  improve our roads and bridges, to fund construction of emergency services  buildings and schools and to create family sustaining jobs. Much has been  accomplished to improve our quality of life including well over $1.5 billion in  infrastructure funding to improve Route 1, Route 413, I 95, the Pennsylvania  Turnpike, and numerous other state roads across Bucks County.  

Throughout my legislative career both in the state house and senate, I’ve been  privileged to work with a conscientious and dedicated staff. No matter what the  issue, my staff and I worked hard on behalf of our constituents to get the answer or  to solve the problem. I wish to thank my staff, both past and present, for all they  have done to make our district even better. 

I also wish to thank my family and friends for all their support throughout the  years. I know that the successes that I have mentioned and the numerous others  that I have not, would not have been possible without their love and support. Finally, I would like to thank all of you, the people of Bucks County. It has truly  been a pleasure to serve you. While I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I  will always be honored to have been your Senator. Thank you for putting your trust  in me and allowing me the opportunity of a lifetime to serve you. 

Sincerely, 

Senator Robert M. Tomlinson 
6^th District

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