title: Tom Hancock
text: # Tom Hancock
  
  Thomas L. Hancock (February 3, 1948 – January 31, 2016) was an American politician who was Iowa State Senator from the 16th District. A Democrat, he served in the Iowa Senate from 2005. He retired from the United States Postal Service after 31 years and was a member of the Epworth Volunteer Fire Department.
  
  Hancock served on several committees in the Iowa Senate: the Agriculture committee; the Appropriations committee; the Environment and Energy Independence committee; the Judiciary committee; the Transportation committee; and the Natural Resources committee, where he was vice chair. He also served as chair of the Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee.
  
  Hancock was last re-elected in 2008 with 17,129 votes, defeating Republican opponent Dave McLaughlin. He died of an apparent heart attack on January 31, 2016, in Dubuque.
  
  