Tom Lackey

First elected as councilmember for the City of Palmdale in 2005, Lackey has been a strong advocate for public safety, education improvements and job growth through private sector economic development.

Raised in the small high desert mining town of Boron, Lackey was active in the Boron High School student government in both junior high and high school and earned the rank of “Eagle Scout” from the Boy Scouts of America.

After high school, Lackey served his church as a missionary for two years. Upon returning, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in special education from Utah State University, and later was an elementary special education teacher.

Since beginning his 28-year career with the California Highway Patrol in 1985, he has worked in Los Angeles, El Cajon, Baldwin Park and the Antelope Valley.

Lackey first entered elected public service as a member of the Palmdale Elementary School District Board of Trustees. He went on to serve two terms as a councilmember for City of Palmdale from 2005 to 2014.

Following his election to the State Assembly, he was a joint author of Assembly Bill 266 which was part of California’s landmark legislation, the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act. His focus has been creating a well-regulated medical marijuana framework that protects local control and public safety. He has been a champion of advancing new tools and strategies for law enforcement to fight drug-impaired driving. His work includes gaining authorization and funding for research beginning in 2016 at UC San Diego to examine the relationship between cannabis and driving-ability.