# Tony Exum

Thomas Exum Sr. (born June 16, 1952) is an American politician who is a Democratic member of the Colorado Senate. He represents District 11, which includes all or parts of Colorado Springs, Cimarron Hills and Stratmoor in El Paso County. Previously, Exum served in the Colorado House of Representatives, representing the 17th district from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2017 to 2023.

## Early life and education

Thomas Exum Sr. was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 16, 1952. He graduated from the University of Southern Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994. He worked as a firefighter for thirty-five years and served as a battalion chief.

## Colorado House of Representatives
### Elections

Exum received the Democratic nomination to run for a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives from the 17th district in the 2012 election. He defeated Republican nominee Mark H. Barker, Libertarian nominee Susan Quilleash, and American Constitution nominee Barry Forest Pace in the election.
Republican nominee Catherine Roupe defeated Exum in the 2014 election. During the 2016 election he was endorsed by President Barack Obama and defeated Roupe and Quilleash in the general election. He won reelection in the 2018 election against Roupe. He defeated Republican nominee Rob Blancken and Libertarian nominee Quilleash in the 2020 election.
During the 2022 election Exum won the Democratic nomination for a seat in the Colorado Senate against Yolanda Avila. In the general election, Exum defeated Republican Sen. Dennis Hisey.

### Tenure

During Exum's tenure in the state house he served as chair of the Government committee and served on the Education, and Transportation and Local committees.

## Electoral history

2012 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum | 1,567 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,567 | 100.00% | |
2012 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum | 11,212 | 54.57% |
| | Republican | Mark H. Barker | 7,757 | 37.76% |
| | Libertarian | Susan Quilleash | 1,006 | 4.90% |
| | American Constitution | Barry Forest Pace | 570 | 2.77% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,545 | 100.00% |
2014 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum (incumbent) | 1,548 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,548 | 100.00% | |
2014 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Catherine Roupe | 6,766 | 47.27% | +9.51% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum (incumbent) | 6,477 | 45.25% | −9.32% |
| | Libertarian | Susan Quilleash | 1,071 | 7.48% | +2.58% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,314 | 100.00% | |
2016 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum | 2,034 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,034 | 100.00% | |
2016 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum | 11,445 | 49.39% | +4.14% |
| | Republican | Catherine Roupe (incumbent) | 9,613 | 41.48% | −5.79% |
| | Libertarian | Susan Quilleash | 2,116 | 9.13% | +1.65% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,174 | 100.00% | |
2018 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum | 3,618 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,618 | 100.00% | |
2018 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum (incumbent) | 11,037 | 58.76% | +9.37% |
| | Republican | Catherine Roupe | 7,745 | 41.24% | −0.24% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,782 | 100.00% | |
2020 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum (incumbent) | 5,940 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,940 | 100.00% | |
2020 Colorado House of Representatives 17th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum (incumbent) | 15,780 | 56.76% | −2.00% |
| | Republican | Rob Blancken | 10,398 | 37.40% | −3.84% |
| | Libertarian | Susan Quilleash | 1,621 | 5.83% | +5.83% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,799 | 100.00% | |
2022 Colorado State Senate 11th district Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tony Exum | 4,912 | 54.03% |
| | Democratic | Yolanda Avila | 4,179 | 45.97% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,091 | 100.00% |