Tom Campbell (California politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Campbell
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Campbell in 2013
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| Dean of the Chapman University School of Law | |
| In office 2011–2016 |
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| Preceded by | John Eastman |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Parlow |
| Director of the California Department of Finance | |
| In office December 1, 2004 – November 10, 2005 |
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| Governor | Arnold Schwarzenegger |
| Preceded by | Donna Arduin |
| Succeeded by | Michael Genest |
| Dean of the Haas School of Business | |
| In office 2002–2008 |
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| Preceded by | Laura Tyson |
| Succeeded by | Richard Lyons |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
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| In office December 12, 1995 – January 3, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Norman Mineta |
| Succeeded by | Mike Honda |
| Constituency | 15th district |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Ernie Konnyu |
| Succeeded by | Tom Lantos |
| Constituency | 12th district |
| Member of the California Senate from the 11th district |
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| In office November 11, 1993 – December 12, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Becky Morgan |
| Succeeded by | Byron Sher |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas John Campbell
August 14, 1952 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Common Sense (2020–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Republican (1980–2016) Independent (2016–2020) |
| Spouse |
Susanne Martin
(m. 1978) |
| Relatives | William Joseph Campbell (Father) |
| Education | University of Chicago (BA, MA, PhD) Harvard University (JD) |
Thomas John Campbell (born August 14, 1952) is an American academic, educator, and politician. He is a professor of law and economics at Chapman University in Orange, California.
He has held many important roles. He was the Dean of the Chapman University School of Law from 2011 to 2016. He also served as the Director of Finance for the State of California from 2004 to 2005. Before that, he was a Republican member of the United States Congress for five terms, representing districts in California. He also served in the California State Senate. Campbell was a professor at Stanford Law School and the Dean of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
In 2000, he ran for the U.S. Senate but lost. He tried again in 2010 for the same seat but did not win the Republican nomination.
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Early Life and Education
Tom Campbell was born in Chicago on August 14, 1952. He was a top student, graduating as valedictorian from St. Ignatius College Prep in 1969.
He earned several degrees from top universities. He received his Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Arts (MA) degrees from the University of Chicago in 1973. He then earned a law degree (Juris Doctor, JD) from Harvard Law School in 1976. Later, he completed a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago in 1980.
After law school, Campbell worked for important judges. He was a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White from 1977 to 1978. Before that, he worked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge George E. MacKinnon. His father, William Joseph Campbell, was a Chief Judge.
Campbell was raised in a Democratic family. However, he decided to join the Republican Party in 1980.
Early Career in Government
In 1976, Campbell became a lawyer in Illinois. He worked in private practice in Chicago. From 1980 to 1981, he was a White House Fellow. This program gives talented young professionals a chance to work in the U.S. government.
He then worked in the Reagan Administration. From 1981 to 1983, he was the Director of the Bureau of Competition in the Federal Trade Commission. He was the youngest person ever to hold this position.
Becoming a Law Professor
In 1983, Tom Campbell became a law professor at Stanford Law School. He was given tenure in 1987. This means he earned a permanent teaching position.
Serving in Congress and State Senate
Campbell decided to run for Congress in California's 12th District. This area included his hometown of Campbell and Stanford University. He won the Republican primary election. Then, he narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent, Anna Eshoo. He served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1993, a special election was held for a seat in the California State Senate. Campbell won this election. In the State Senate, he led the Housing Committee and was Vice Chairman of the Education Committee. He was also on the Budget Committee. He was known for being a good problem solver and very ethical.
In 1995, Congressman Norman Mineta resigned from his seat. Campbell ran in the special election for this district, the 15th. Even though it was a strong Democratic area, Campbell won easily. He was re-elected in 1996 and 1998.
During his time in Congress, Campbell was seen as a moderate Republican. This means his views were often in the middle, especially on social and environmental issues. He believed in limited government, which is a libertarian idea. He was also a fiscal conservative, meaning he believed in careful spending of government money.
Return to Education and Public Service
In 2000, Campbell returned to Stanford University. He then moved to the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley in 2002. There, he became the Dean. As Dean, he focused on teaching about corporate social responsibility and business ethics.
From 2004 to 2005, Campbell took a break from UC Berkeley. He served as the Director of the California Department of Finance for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In 2011, Campbell became the Dean of the Chapman University School of Law. He served in this role until 2016.
Later Political Activities
In 2008, Tom Campbell considered running for Governor of California. However, in 2010, he decided to run for the U.S. Senate instead. He finished second in the Republican primary election.
2016 U.S. Presidential Election
In 2016, Campbell spoke out about the U.S. presidential election. He wrote that he would leave the Republican Party if Donald Trump remained the nominee. He believed that the government should not make distinctions between people based on their personal lives. He also stated he could not support the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. Campbell later changed his political party registration to independent.
In 2020, Campbell helped start the centrist Common Sense Party. He felt there was a need for a new political party in California.
Personal Life
Tom Campbell married Susanne Martin in 1978.
Awards and Recognition
- 2016 Anti-Defamation League Orange County/Long Beach Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award
- 1998 University of Chicago Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Books
- Separation of Powers in Practice (2004) ISBN: 0-8047-5027-0
See also
- List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Seat 6)
