Thomas M. Roach Jr. (born September 19, 1961)
is an American
politician
A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...
and
attorney serving as mayor of
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city in and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is an inner suburb of New York City, and a commercial hub of Westchester County, a densely populated suburban county that is home to about one milli ...
. He took office as acting mayor in February 2011 following the resignation of former Mayor
Adam Bradley. Roach won a March 2011 special election held to fill the remainder of Bradley's term.
Early life and background
Roach was born in White Plains. He attended
SUNY Albany
The State University of New York at Albany (University at Albany, UAlbany, or SUNY Albany) is a public research university in Albany, New York, United States. Founded in 1844, it is one of four "university centers" of the State University of N ...
where he received a degree in political science, and earned his
Juris Doctor
A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States and the Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree. Other j ...
degree at the
SUNY Buffalo School of Law
A law school (also known as a law centre/center, college of law, or faculty of law) is an institution, professional school, or department of a college or university specializing in legal education, usually involved as part of a process for bec ...
. Upon graduating from law school in 1986, he represented indigent individuals in
Bronx County
The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County to its north; to its south and west, the New York City boro ...
with the
Legal Aid Society.
In 1989 he entered the private practice of law in
White Plains and has been primarily engaged in civil litigation since then. He was formerly employed with the firm of Mead, Hecht, Conklin, and Gallagher in
Mamaroneck
Mamaroneck ( ), is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States.
The population was 31,758 at the 2020 United States census over 29,156 at the 2010 census. There are two villages contained within the town: Larchmont and the Villag ...
. Roach has two children, Henry Roach, and Lawson Roach. He is also a cancer survivor.
Political career
In 2001, Roach ran for and was elected to the White Plains Common Council as a
Democrat. He was reelected in 2005 and 2009.
In November 2010, Roach ran for the
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature, with the New York State Senate being the upper house. There are 150 seats in the Assembly. Assembly members serve two-year terms without term limits.
The Ass ...
and lost by 112 votes to incumbent
Robert Castelli, who had taken office in February of that year following the resignation of former Assemblyman
Adam Bradley, who had vacated the office after being elected Mayor of White Plains.
In February 2011, Bradley announced his resignation as mayor, following his December 2010 conviction for attempted assault and harassment of his wife, which was later overturned in 2013. Roach, who was as President of the Common Council at the time, succeeded him as Mayor of the City of White Plains. Roach subsequently won a March 31, 2011, special election to fill the remainder of Bradley's term.
Election results
*
2010 New York State Assembly election, District 89
:
*
March 2011 White Plains mayoral special election
:
* 2013 White Plains mayoral election
* 2017 White Plains mayoral election
* 2021 White Plains mayoral election
See also
*
List of mayors of White Plains, New York
References
External links
Tom Roach Campaign Web site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roach, Tom
1961 births
Living people
21st-century American lawyers
21st-century mayors of places in New York (state)
Mayors of White Plains, New York
New York (state) city council members
New York (state) Democrats
New York (state) lawyers
University at Albany, SUNY alumni
University at Buffalo Law School alumni
Politicians from Westchester County, New York