In 1989, Tom began a career as a realtor with Windermere Real Estate. In 2002, Tom was elected to the state House of Representatives as a Republican by defeating Democrat Connie Espe by a 52 to 42% margin with 5% going to a third-party candidate. He was reelected in 2004, edging out Democratic Party challenger Debi Golden with a 51.76% to 48.24% margin. On March 14, 2006, Tom announced that he was switching to the Democratic Party and challenging Luke Esser. This announcement caused no small amount of controversy, as Tom's 2004 Democratic opponent, Debi Golden, had already declared her intention to run for the state Senate in the 48th district, which brought the two together for a rematch of their 2004 race. However, two weeks later, Golden ended her candidacy, citing the expense and futility of a primary battle, leaving Tom unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He defeated incumbent Republican Luke Esser with 53% of the vote. On July 17, 2007, Tom publicly announced his campaign for the 8th District's congressional seat. He soon ended the campaign and endorsed Darcy Burner, who was the challenger to Dave Reichert in 2006 and had a major lead in fundraising. On November 2, 2010, Tom ran in the Washington State Senate in the 48th Legislative District to win against Gregg Bennett by 52.55% to 47.30%. In 2012, two Conservative-Democrat Senators, Tom and Tim Sheldon announced they would switch caucuses and join 23 Republicans to form the Majority Coalition Caucus, giving them a 25-24 vote majority over democrats. On April 14, 2014 Tom announced he would not seek reelection citing health concerns and the need to take care of his father. On March 29, 2018 Tom announced his intention to run for state senate again in 48th Legislative District, but was not elected.
Controversies
Budget coup
On March 2, 2012, Tom joined with fellow Democratic Sens. Jim Kastama and Tim Sheldon and 22 Senate Republicans to push through a revised budget bill. It assumes changes in state-employee pension programs that will save the state $133 million in the short term and $2.3 billion over the long haul. Most education spending was spared. He justified his actions by saying, "Since before this legislative session began, the message from my constituents has been loud and clear. Another budget that is unsustainable, relies upon accounting gimmicks and sets our state up for a perennial deficit is simply unacceptable. If we ever want to get ahead of our budget crises, our state needs wholesale government reform and a budget that reflects our commitment to sustainable governing."
Majority Coalition Caucus
On December 10, 2012, Tom announced that he would caucus with the Republicans to form the Majority Coalition Caucus. Tom became the new senate majority leader. On February 4, 2013, both Tom and Tim Sheldon, another Democratic senator who joined Republicans to form the MCC, were censured by the state Democratic Party for "gross disloyalty" and "perfidious behavior," cutting off their future access to party funds and mailing lists. This followed separate votes to censure Tom by the 5th and 43rd District Democratic organizations, Democrats in Tom's own 48th District, and the Pierce County Democrats. Amid the censures, state Republicans urged support of Tom. On June 29, 2013, the Washington State Senate passed the state budget for 2013-2015. The budget included $1 billion in new funding for education, while providing enough funding for universities for tuition to remain at current levels. In addition the budget ended approximately $600 million in temporary tax increases that affected businesses throughout the state.
