Thomas M. Holcomb

Thomas M. "Hoke" Holcomb (born September 14, 1945) is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and retired secondary school teacher.

Early life
Holcomb was born on September 14, 1945, in Charlotte, Michigan. He graduated from Sexton High School in Lansing, Michigan and was involved in school politics and the baseball and tennis teams. As a young teenager, he worked as a retail associate for his father's clothing store (Davis Clothing) in downtown Lansing. Many state legislators frequented the store to purchase suits and accessories, and it was there Holcomb, through his interactions assisting elected officials, was introduced to public policy and government. He attended the University of Miami and earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and minored in History.

Career
In 1972, having just turned 27 years old, Holcomb ran for office and was defeated as the Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives seat representing the 58th district. He re-engineered his campaign strategies and covered 35 miles on foot walking the county and interacting with voters. His most effective campaign marketing slogan, “Have a Coke on Hoke”, went viral at county fairs, as he handed out Coca-Cola to potential voters. On November 5, 1974, at 29 years old, Holcomb was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where he represented the 58th district from January 8, 1975 to 1978. On April 1, 1978, he married Suzanne M. Holcomb (Spence); 250 people attended the wedding, which was locally televised.

Holcomb had grassroots involvement and was praised for his contributions to state and local education, agricultural development and local unions. However, he was not re-elected in 1978. In 1980, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Michigan. In 1982 he was defeated as the Democratic candidate for the Michigan Senate seat representing the 20th district.

Holcomb and his family to moved Mason, Michigan, 15 miles south of Lansing. There he ran for the city council and was close to the Ingham County Fair board and former city Administrator Patrick Price, as well as managing the campaign initiatives of former Registrar of Deeds, Paula Johnson.

He continued his career as a school teacher at Mason High School and helped at-risk students in a newly created position within the school district. In 2000, he ran again for the 58th District Michigan House of Representatives, but was defeated.