As a native of Drumquin, Tom has served as a local Councillor for West Tyrone since 1993, and throughout that time he has gained a wealth of experience and understanding for the area. Tom has Chaired various Council Committees and also as Vice-Chairman of the Council.
Tom has been a DUP MLA since 2003, most recently being elected in 2017. Since 2020 he has been the Deputy Chair on the Committee for Procedures. He is also on the All-Party group for Cancer.