Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 67

Tom Harman grew up in Shawnee Mission Kansas, the second son of Jane and Norval "Doc" Harman. He and his family moved to the Rossmoor area of West Orange County in 1958, over 41 years ago.

Strong advocates for public education and civic service, Tom's parents urged him to work hard, study hard, and strive to give something back to the community. It was from his father, Doc, that Tom gained his appreciation for nature and his love of fishing.
After attending public schools in Kansas, Tom enrolled at Kansas State University. Upon earning his degree in 1963, Tom joined the U.S. Army as a lieutenant. Serving in the 4th Infantry Division, Tom developed leadership and organizational skills that he would later use as a community leader in Orange County.
Tom left the Army after his tour of duty was up to continue his education. Attending Loyola University School of Law in Los Angeles, Tom finished near the top of his class and received his Juris Doctorate in 1968.
That year, Tom began working for the prominent Long Beach law firm of Lucas & Deukmejian. (Malcolm Lucas would go on to become chief justice of the California Supreme Court; George Deukmejian would become California State Attorney General and, later, Governor.)
A few years later Tom and his wife, Dianne, found the perfect place to live and raise a family -- Huntington Beach.
Tom eventually started his own law practice, specializing in estate planning and business law. Having his own practice allowed Tom to focus on what he enjoyed most -- spending time with his wife and their children Michelle and Mike.

Service to the Community

Tom has always been an active volunteer in the community. He served on the board of directors of the West Orange County YMCA and as president of his Rotary Club. He was a regular volunteer at local public schools, making sure teachers had the support they needed to do their jobs.

Tom has also served as president of the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping abused and troubled children. With Dianne, Tom headed the fundraising efforts to build a permanent shelter for these children, which opened its doors in January, 1994.
Tom enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his children. Fighting to preserve open space for the benefit of his children as well as future generations, Tom became an active member of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust and Amigos de Bolsa Chica. He has been at the forefront of the fight to save the Bolsa Chica wetlands and mesa from development.

Called to Public Service

Tom was appointed to the Huntington Beach City Council in 1995 to fill a vacant seat. Although he had never run for public office before, Tom was the choice of the other council members largely because of his exemplary record and commitment to community service.

Tom was elected to a full four-year term on the City Council in 1996 after a successful election campaign. On behalf of the residents of Huntington Beach, Tom has voted for:

• New businesses, higher paying jobs, and increased economic development

• Improved police helicopter coverage

• A new fire station and two new police substations

• Reduced government spending by eliminating wasteful projects, such as the Santa Ana River bridges

• Construction of a youth sports center

• Tough ordinances against drug and gang houses

• Better senior citizen programs

• Preserving the Bolsa Chica wetlands and mesa for future generations