Tom Miller (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Miller
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Miller in 2020
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| 31st and 33rd Attorney General of Iowa | |
| In office January 6, 1995 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Governor | Terry Branstad Tom Vilsack Chet Culver Kim Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Bonnie Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Brenna Bird |
| In office January 12, 1979 – January 11, 1991 |
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| Governor | Robert Ray Terry Branstad |
| Preceded by | Richard C. Turner |
| Succeeded by | Bonnie Campbell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas John Miller
August 11, 1944 Dubuque, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Loras College (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
Thomas John Miller (born August 11, 1944) is an American lawyer and politician. He is well-known for serving as the Attorney General of Iowa for a very long time. He held this important job from 1995 to 2023.
Before that, he was also the Attorney General from 1979 to 1991. His total time in office, which is 40 years, makes him the longest-serving State Attorney General in the history of the United States. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early Life and Education
Tom Miller grew up in Dubuque, Iowa. His parents were Elmer and Betty Miller. His father worked as a county assessor for many years.
Tom went to Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque. He then earned his first college degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), from Loras College, also in Dubuque. In 1969, he completed his law degree, called a J.D., at Harvard Law School. A J.D. is the degree you need to become a lawyer.
Early Career as a Lawyer
After finishing law school, Miller worked as a volunteer with AmeriCorps VISTA in Baltimore for a year. This program helps communities in need. He also served as an assistant to John Culver, who was a U.S. Representative from Iowa.
He worked for the Baltimore Legal Aid Bureau, which provides legal help to people who cannot afford it. He also taught law at the University of Maryland School of Law. In 1973, Miller moved back to Iowa. He started his own law practice in McGregor, Iowa. For five years, he was the city attorney for both McGregor and Marquette, Iowa.
Serving as Iowa's Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of a state. This person acts as the state's lawyer, representing it in legal matters and protecting its citizens.
Tom Miller was first elected as Iowa's Attorney General in 1978. He won re-election in 1982 and 1986. In 1990, he tried to become governor but did not win the primary election for his party. After that, he worked as a private lawyer for a few years.
In 1994, Miller was elected Attorney General again. He continued to win re-election multiple times: in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018. He served until January 2023, when he lost his re-election bid to Brenna Bird. His long time in office made him the longest-serving state attorney general in U.S. history.
