Thomas Dwayne Dempsey (born May 8, 1967) is an American restaurateur and former
Republican politician, previously serving in the
Missouri Senate as President Pro Tempore. Dempsey is now a partner at the Gate Way Group, a multi-state government relations firm based in St. Louis.
Early life and education
He was born in
St. Charles, Missouri
Saint Charles (commonly abbreviated St. Charles) is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 65,794 at the 2010 census, making St. Charles the ninth-largest city in Missouri. Situated on t ...
, and received a B.S. degree from
Rockhurst University in political science, where he was a member of
Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
Career and politics
Dempsey is the former general manager of The Columns Banquet and Conference Center in St. Charles, Missouri. He is a member of St Cletus
Catholic Church and the St. Charles
Rotary Club
Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. Its stated mission is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through hefellowship of business, profe ...
, among others. A former member of the St. Charles City Council. In 2000, he was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, winning reelection in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He is the chairman of the Special Committee on Parliamentary Procedure, and also serves as the chair of both the Ethics and Rules committees.
Dempsey was elected to the Senate in a 2007 special election previously serving as Majority Floor Leader in the
Missouri House of Representatives. In January 2009, he was elected to
Majority Whip of the Senate.
In January 2013, Dempsey was elected as President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate. Dempsey resigned from his Senate seat in August 2015. He is now a partner at the Gate Way Group, a St. Louis based lobbying firm.
Personal life
Dempsey was born to restaurant owner Ernest "Ernie" Dempsey and Peggy Pedrucci, along with younger sisters Anne and Mary. He lives in St. Charles, Missouri, with his wife Molly. They have three children.
References
Further reading
*''Official Manual, State of Missouri, 2005-2006.'' Jefferson City, MO: Secretary of State.
1967 births
American restaurateurs
Living people
Republican Party members of the Missouri House of Representatives
People from St. Charles, Missouri
Rockhurst University alumni
Catholics from Missouri
{{Missouri-politician-stub