For other individuals with the same or similar names, see Thomas GallagherC. Thomas "Tom" Gallagher III (born February 3, 1944) is an American politician from the state of Florida and a member of the Republican Party. Gallagher holds the distinction of having served more years as an elected state official than any other individual in Florida history. He began his career in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 1979 to 1987.