Biography
The son of a farmer and a public school teacher, Tom grew up in a modest, working-class family on a farm in Richmond County. His parents taught him the value of a good education and hard work. Tom McInnis never had the luxury of a large inheritance or handouts; he worked his way through school and built small businesses that have created jobs in our community for years.
Currently in his fifth term in the State Senate, Tom has worked to reduce unnecessary government intrusion, overbearing regulations, and restrictions that stifle the entrepreneurial spirit of job creators, while continuing to protect the health, safety and welfare of all North Carolinians. Tom has focused on expanding vocational and technical educational opportunities, which translates into a sustainable living wage for students. He has worked to raise teacher pay, and provisions for better educational opportunities for students through school choice programs. And perhaps most importantly, Senator McInnis has fought hard against the ongoing opioid epidemic. Having witnessed first-hand the devastation that opioid addiction can cause in families and communities, he is driven to continue this battle against drug addiction.
Tom was elected by his peers as a Senate Majority Whip, and serves as the Chairman of the Transportation Committee, Appropriation on Department of Transportation, and the Commerce and Education Committee.
He is running for reelection to the State Senate because he believes the constituents of the new 21st district deserve an experienced Senator who is bold, decisive, and willing to work tirelessly to improve education, increase job opportunities, and improve transportation infrastructure for the citizens of Moore and Cumberland counties.
Tom’s wife, Janice, is a retired Richmond County Schools teacher. They have 4 children and 11 grandchildren, and make their home in Pinehurst, NC.
Awards and achievements
Richmond Community College Foundation Citizen of the Year for 2020
Keystone Award for NC Engineering Community
The Henry W. Little, III Community Leadership Award given by The Anson County Chamber of Commerce
Delta Waterfowl Legislator of the Year 2018
North Carolina Trappers Association Legislator of the Year, 2017
NC Forestry Association Legislator of the Year, 2016
Served 8 years on the Richmond County Board of Education
Appointed by Congressman Robin Hayes to the 8th Congressional District Agricultural Advisory Committee
Elected to the North Carolina Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame
Recipient of the Prestigious National Auctioneers Association President’s Award of Distinction
Served 2 Terms on the National Auctioneers Board of Directors
Appointed by Governor Jim Martin to serve 2 terms on the North Carolina Auctioneers Licensing Board
Memberships and Associations: Lifetime Member and Former Consultant to the National Rifle Association, Member of the North Carolina Forestry Association
Service and Charity
Tom has donated a significant amount of time to community service and support through benefit auctions for charities and nonprofits throughout the United States, raising millions of dollars to support worthy causes such as:
Hospice
Habitat for Humanity
Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation
Disability Resources, Inc
Kent Waldrep National Paralysis Foundation
SECU Family House at UNC Memorial Hospital at Chapel Hill
Stanley County Hospital Foundation
4H Clubs
Boy Scouts of America
Quail Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited
National Rifle Association
North Carolina Forestry Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
Water Fowl USA
Wild Life Extravaganza
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Foundation
