Thomas Michael Smalec

Smalec was an institution--at the House and among the DFL caucus staff there. In that way, it's hard to believe that he will not be at the capitol any longer.



Tom's productivity was legendary, making the rest of us in the media department appear downright sluggish by comparison. Tom was also a person you could always get good political advice from, as well as answers to your most obscure trivia questions. But those things are all testament to Tom's work ethic and his intellect; at heart, Tom was trustworthy, he was caring, and he was passionate. We'll miss him

Tom was special to all of us that worked with him and knew him. he left a foot print on all of us. the look on his face when he would talk about cathy or the girls really showed what a softy he was deep down. He will always be remembered as a fine man, hard worker, funny, intelligent,strong DFL'er. his friends and family will always remember him and smile when they do.

Our heartfelt condolences to the whole family. May all your wonderful, warm memories be a comfort to you all.



Much love,

Harvey, DeeDee & Sarah (Silverstein) Levitt

Tom will be greatly missed by those of us that had the privilege of working with him. For four years, my office was next to his at the Capitol and I remember vividly times when one or the other of us would get worked up over something we read in the news (usually political) – we would venture next door to “talk it out” until we both felt better. Tom loved politics and he knew issues, but his greatest strength was his ability to express both (politics and policy) eloquently, and in many voices, including some of our greatest state and community leaders. His sense of humor, his passion for politics and everything Democratic, his grace under pressure, and his ability to write and spin -- both fast and well -- surely will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Cathy and his family.

What a wonderful man with a wonderful sense of humor. Nobody could 'pound out' a column or news release quicker or with more passion than Tom. His love of family, work, and the DFL will be missed by all that knew him.