Tom Carper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Carper
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Official portrait, 2012
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| United States Senator from Delaware |
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| In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | William Roth |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Blunt Rochester |
| Chair of the Senate Environment Committee | |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | John Barrasso |
| Succeeded by | Shelley Moore Capito |
| Ranking Member of the Senate Environment Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – February 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Boxer |
| Succeeded by | Shelley Moore Capito |
| Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Lieberman |
| Succeeded by | Ron Johnson |
| 71st Governor of Delaware | |
| In office January 19, 1993 – January 3, 2001 |
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| Lieutenant | Ruth Ann Minner |
| Preceded by | Dale E. Wolf |
| Succeeded by | Ruth Ann Minner |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office August 4, 1998 – August 10, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | George Voinovich |
| Succeeded by | Mike Leavitt |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large district |
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| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Evans |
| Succeeded by | Mike Castle |
| Treasurer of Delaware | |
| In office January 18, 1977 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Governor | Pete du Pont |
| Preceded by | Mary Jornlin |
| Succeeded by | Janet Rzewnicki |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Richard Carper
January 23, 1947 Beckley, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
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| Children | 2 |
| Education | |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Naval Flight Officer |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Thomas Richard Carper (born January 23, 1947) is an American politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Delaware from 2001 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a senator, Carper was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993. He also served as the 71st Governor of Delaware from 1993 to 2001.
Carper grew up in Beckley, West Virginia. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1973. He was a Naval flight officer and flew planes during the Vietnam War. After his active duty, he stayed in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 18 more years. He retired as a Captain. He earned a business degree from the University of Delaware in 1975. After that, he worked for Delaware's economic development office. He was elected State Treasurer for Delaware in 1977. He helped create the state's first cash management system.
Local politicians encouraged Carper to run for the U.S. House in 1982. He served five terms there. In 1992, he ran for Governor of Delaware and won. He served two terms as governor. He focused on helping businesses and improving the state's economy.
Carper was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. He won re-election multiple times. He is a senior senator for Delaware. He was the last Vietnam War veteran to serve in the Senate.
Early Life and Education
Tom Carper was born in Beckley, West Virginia. His parents were Mary Jean and Wallace Richard Carper. He grew up in Danville, Virginia. He went to Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1968, he graduated from Ohio State University. He studied economics there. He was also part of the Naval ROTC program. Later, in 1975, he earned his MBA degree from the University of Delaware.
Early Career and Public Service
Carper served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Flight Officer. He was in the Navy from 1968 to 1973. During this time, he completed three tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 18 more years. He retired as a Captain.
After college, Carper worked on political campaigns. He was the campaign treasurer for a professor running for the U.S. House in 1974. In 1976, he decided to run for Delaware State Treasurer. He won and served three terms, from 1977 to 1983. As Treasurer, he helped create Delaware's first system for managing the state's money.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1982, Tom Carper was encouraged to run for Delaware's only seat in the U.S. House. He won the election. He served five terms in the House.
While in the House, he worked on committees dealing with banking and transportation. He also led a subcommittee focused on economic stability. He worked to help banks get into the securities business. He also pushed for rules to stop pollution in the ocean.
Carper also worked to improve the Democratic Party in Delaware. He helped reform the party's organization in New Castle County.
Governor of Delaware
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In 1992, Carper ran for Governor of Delaware. The previous governor, Mike Castle, could not run again. Carper won the election easily. He served two terms as governor.
As governor, Carper focused on helping Delaware's economy grow. He worked to keep businesses in the state and attract new ones. For example, he helped prevent a General Motors car factory from closing. He also convinced AstraZeneca to build its new headquarters in Delaware.
Carper also worked to lower taxes for people and businesses. He helped improve Delaware's credit rating. He supported education programs and helped fund Head Start. He also created a program to help seniors with prescription drugs.
He encouraged people to become mentors for young people. By the end of his time as governor, Delaware had the highest number of youth mentors per person in the country. He also started the Delaware Mentoring Council.
United States Senate
Senate Elections
In 2000, Tom Carper ran for the U.S. Senate. He ran against the current senator, William Roth. Carper won the election. Many people thought Roth's age was a factor in the election.
Carper was re-elected to the Senate in 2006, 2012, and 2018. He won these elections by large margins. In 2018, he faced a strong challenge in the primary election. However, he still won with about 65% of the vote.
In 2023, Carper announced that he would not run for re-election in 2024. He endorsed Lisa Blunt Rochester to take his place.
His Work in the Senate
Carper has been a member of the Democratic leadership in the Senate. He is known for working well with politicians from both parties. He has been called an "effective and non-partisan leader."
During the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Carper called the attackers "domestic terrorists." He later asked President Trump to resign. He voted to confirm the 2020 election results.
What Committees Does He Serve On?
Carper serves on several important Senate committees:
- Committee on Environment and Public Works (He is the chair of this committee.)
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Political Views and Actions
Tom Carper is considered a moderate Democrat. This means his views are often in the middle, not too far left or right.
Gun Laws
Carper supports stricter gun laws. He signed a letter supporting actions to reduce gun violence. In 2013, he voted to ban magazines that hold more than 10 bullets. In 2016, he took part in a Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. He has called for more background checks and mental health screenings for gun buyers. In 2019, he helped introduce a bill to require background checks for all firearm sales.
Money and the Economy
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Carper has supported efforts to reduce the national debt. He also supports more funding for school choice programs. He has pushed for more money for railroad projects and security. He supports rules that limit personal bankruptcy. He is also a strong supporter of free trade.
In 2012, Carper sponsored a bill that became law. It required government agencies to find ways to save $125 billion by reducing waste. He also suggested raising the federal gasoline tax to help pay down debt and improve roads.
Protecting the Environment
Carper has proposed creating a National Park in Delaware. It would be called the Coastal Heritage Park. He supports the EPA and the Clean Air Act. He believes that air pollution in Delaware comes from states to the west. He has called these states "America's tailpipe."
Technology and Cybersecurity
In 2010, Carper helped write a bill called the "Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act." This bill would give the President emergency powers over the Internet. It was sometimes called the "Kill switch bill" by the media.
Consumer Rules
In 2010, Carper introduced an amendment to limit state regulators. This amendment would stop them from enforcing consumer rules on national banks. The amendment passed.
Jobs and Wages
In 2011, Carper said that the best way to create jobs was to reduce the national debt. He believed this was more important than other job plans.
In 2014, the Senate discussed raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. Carper said he preferred a bill that would raise it to $9 an hour instead. In 2021, he voted against raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
LGBT Rights
As Governor, Carper signed a law defining marriage as between a man and a woman. However, as a Senator, he voted against a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. In 2013, Carper announced that he now supports same-sex marriage.
Iraq War
Carper voted yes on the 2002 Iraq War Resolution. This resolution allowed the use of military force in Iraq.
Personal Life
Tom Carper has been married twice. His first marriage was in 1978 to Diane Beverly Isaacs. They divorced in 1983. In 1985, he married Martha Ann Stacy. They have two children together. His family attends Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware.
Unlike many senators, Carper often traveled by Amtrak train from his home in Wilmington to Washington, D.C.. He said this helped his family have a more normal life. In 2015, he narrowly avoided injury when a train he was on derailed in Philadelphia. In 2024, the Newark Train Station was renamed in his honor.
Images for kids
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Tom Carper's signature
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Official portrait of Tom Carper
See also
In Spanish: Tom Carper para niños
