Childhood and Education Journey of Thomas Massie in Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Thomas Massie. From birth to education, explore key events.
Thomas Massie is an American politician and former engineer who has served as the U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district since 2012. A Republican, his district includes much of northeastern Kentucky, with a significant portion comprising the Kentucky side of the Cincinnati area and Louisville's eastern suburbs.
January 13, 1971: Thomas Massie Born
On January 13, 1971, Thomas Harold Massie was born. He is an American politician and former engineer.
1991: MIT Solar Car Club took second place
In 1991, Thomas Massie participated in the MIT Solar Car Club, which secured second place at the Solar and Electric 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway.
1992: Won MIT Design Competition
In 1992, Thomas Massie won MIT's 2.70 (now 2.007) Design Competition, fulfilling a long-held ambition.
1993: Marriage to Rhonda Howard
In 1993, Massie married his high school sweetheart, Rhonda Howard.
1993: Founded SensAble Devices Inc.
In 1993, Thomas Massie and his wife founded SensAble Devices Inc., a company focused on haptic technology, and he completed his bachelor's degree.
1996: SensAble Technologies, Inc.
In 1996, SensAble Devices Inc. was reincorporated as SensAble Technologies, Inc., after partner Bill Aulet joined.
1996: Completed Master of Science Degree
In 1996, Thomas Massie completed his Master of Science degree with his thesis "Initial haptic explorations with the phantom: virtual touch through point interaction".
2002: Appeared on Junkyard Wars
In 2002, Massie appeared as a contestant in an episode of the TV show Junkyard Wars.
2003: Sold SensAble Technologies, Inc.
In 2003, Thomas Massie sold SensAble Technologies, Inc., a company he founded and grew significantly.
2010: Ran for Judge Executive of Lewis County
In 2010, Thomas Massie ran for Judge Executive of Lewis County, Kentucky, winning the primary and then the general election.
December 2011: Davis Announces Retirement
In December 2011, Geoff Davis announced his retirement from Kentucky's 4th congressional district.
2011: Judge-Executive of Lewis County
In 2011, Thomas Massie became the judge-executive of Lewis County, Kentucky.
January 10, 2012: Massie Announces Candidacy
On January 10, 2012, Thomas Massie announced his candidacy for Kentucky's 4th congressional district.
May 22, 2012: Won Republican Nomination
On May 22, 2012, Thomas Massie won the Republican nomination for Kentucky's 4th congressional district.
July 1, 2012: Resigned as Lewis County Judge-Executive
On July 1, 2012, Thomas Massie resigned from his position as Lewis County Judge-Executive.
July 31, 2012: Davis Resigned from Office
On July 31, 2012, Geoff Davis resigned from his position as Congressman.
August 1, 2012: Endorsed as Party Nominee
On August 1, 2012, the Republican Party committee endorsed Thomas Massie as their nominee for the special election.
November 13, 2012: Sworn into Congress
On November 13, 2012, Thomas Massie was sworn in for the balance of Davis's term in Congress.
2012: Continued Role as Judge-Executive
In 2012, Thomas Massie continued serving as judge-executive of Lewis County, Kentucky, before transitioning to Congress.
2012: Elected to Congress
In 2012, Thomas Massie was elected as the United States representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district.
2012: Backed by the Tea Party Movement
In 2012, Thomas Massie's candidacy for Congress was backed by the Tea Party movement.
May 2013: Voted Against Stolen Valor Act
In May 2013, Thomas Massie voted against the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.
December 2013: Voted Against Undetectable Firearms Act
In December 2013, Thomas Massie was the only congressman to vote against the Undetectable Firearms Act.
2013: Early Tesla Adopter
In 2013, Massie became an early adopter of the Tesla Model S, later referring to himself as the "greenest member of Congress".
March 2014: Voted Against Israel Strategic Partner Bill
In March 2014, Thomas Massie voted against a bill to name Israel an American strategic partner because it would have subsidized green energy companies in Israel.
May 2014: Objected to Voice Vote for Jack Nicklaus Medal
In May 2014, Thomas Massie objected to a voice vote to award Jack Nicklaus a gold medal.
June 2014: "Mr. No"
By mid-June 2014, Thomas Massie had voted "no" at least 324 times in the 113th Congress, leading Politico to name him "Mr. No".
November 2016: Voted Against Iran Sanctions Extension
In November 2016, Thomas Massie was the only member of the House to vote against an extension of U.S. sanctions against Iran.
February 2017: Introduced Bill to Abolish Department of Education
In February 2017, Thomas Massie introduced a bill to abolish the United States Department of Education.
April 2017: Expressed Skepticism Over Assad's Role in Chemical Attack
In April 2017, Thomas Massie expressed skepticism over the role of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the 2017 Khan Shaykhun chemical attack.
May 2017: Voted Against Sanctions on North Korea
In May 2017, Thomas Massie was the sole House member to vote against sanctions on North Korea.
July 2017: Opposed Sanctions Against Russia, Iran, and North Korea
In July 2017, Thomas Massie joined other representatives and senators in opposing a bill to impose new economic sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
December 29, 2017: Voted for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On December 29, 2017, Thomas Massie voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, despite concerns about its impact on the national debt.
October 2018: Spoke at John Birch Society Anniversary
In October 2018, Thomas Massie spoke at the John Birch Society’s 60th anniversary celebration, discussing government corruption and opposing an Article V Convention.
March 26, 2019: Voted to Override Trump's Veto
On March 26, 2019, Thomas Massie voted to override Trump's veto of a measure unwinding the national emergency declaration at the southern border.
April 10, 2019: Called Kerry's Degree a "Pseudoscience Degree"
On April 10, 2019, during John Kerry's testimony, Thomas Massie called Kerry's political science degree a "pseudoscience degree," leading to widespread media coverage.
July 2019: Voted Against Resolution Opposing Boycott of Israel
In July 2019, Thomas Massie was one of 17 members of Congress to vote against a House resolution opposing efforts to boycott Israel.
November 2019: Sole "No" Vote on Hong Kong Human Rights Act
In November 2019, Thomas Massie was the sole "no" vote in Congress on the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019.
December 2019: Sole "No" Vote on UIGHUR Act
In December 2019, Thomas Massie was the sole vote against the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response (UIGHUR) Act.
2019: Signed letter to Trump on use of force
In 2019, Thomas Massie signed a letter to Trump asserting that it was "long past time to rein in the use of force that goes beyond congressional authorization".
July 2021: Voted Against ALLIES Act
In July 2021, Thomas Massie voted against the bipartisan ALLIES Act, which would increase special immigrant visas for Afghan allies.
September 2021: Only Republican to Vote Against Funding for Iron Dome
In September 2021, Thomas Massie was the only Republican to vote against $1 billion of funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.
May 2022: Voted Against Resolution Denouncing Antisemitism
In May 2022, Thomas Massie was the only member of the House to vote against a resolution denouncing antisemitism and opposition to Israel, citing concerns about censorship.
April 16, 2024: Co-sponsored Motion to Vacate
On April 16, 2024, Thomas Massie co-sponsored a motion to vacate filed by Marjorie Taylor Greene in an attempt to oust House speaker Mike Johnson.
July 2024: Co-Moderated Presidential Debate
In July 2024, Thomas Massie co-moderated a presidential debate for third-party candidates held by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation.
