Tom Shively is a Democratic

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

 member of the Missouri House of Representatives

Missouri House of Representatives

The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...

. He represents the 8th District, encompassing all or portions of Linn

Linn County, Missouri

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,754 people, 5,697 households, and 3,760 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 6,554 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...

, Macon

Macon County, Missouri

Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 15,566. Its county seat is Macon. The county was organized in 1837 and named for Nathaniel Macon, a North Carolina politician...

, Shelby and Sullivan

Sullivan County, Missouri

Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. In 2010, the population was 6,714. Its county seat is Milan.-History:Sullivan County, Missouri encompasses of high glaciated prairie covered by steep rolling hills and numerous creeks and streams in north central Missouri...

 counties.

Personal history

Thomas Shively was born in Hannibal, Missouri

Hannibal, Missouri

Hannibal is a city in Marion and Ralls counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. Hannibal is located at the intersection of Interstate 72 and U.S. Routes 24, 36 and 61, approximately northwest of St. Louis. According to the 2010 U.S. Census the population was 17,606...

 and raised in Shelby county. After graduating from North Shelby High School in 1964 he attended the University of Missouri

University of Missouri

The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...

in Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1968. Representative Shively served in United States Air Force, and taught vocational agriculture at northeast Missouri schools for over three decades. When not involved with legislative duties Shively works with one of his sons in a cattle and row crop farming operation. Tom Shively and his wife Rose are the parents of three children.

Political history

Tom Shively first ran for the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002, losing to Chris Shoemaker.
He ran for the House again in 2004, losing to Kathy L. Chinn. On his third attempt in 2006 Tom Shively was finally victorious, defeating Chinn in a rematch from 2004. He has subsequently been reelected in 2008 and 2010.

Legislative assignments

Representative Shively wll serve on the following committees during the 96th General Assembly:

• Agriculture Policy
• Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee
• Budget
• Elementary and Secondary Education