ProRodeo Sports News - October 16, 2020

CATCHING UP WITH ... STEVE TOMAC Clown ACT

Steve Tomac balanced rodeo clown with political career in N.D. BY MATT NABER E lect a clown, expect a circus – or in Steve Tomac’s case, elect a clown and expect a rodeo. When the ProRodeo clown/barrelman first ran for the North Dakota State Legislature in 1986, his campaign slogan was, “There’s a lot of clowns in the Legislature, let’s send a professional.” It was the start of a career in politics, with Tomac serving as a Democratic member of the state’s House of Representatives (1987–1989) and the state Senate (1991–2002). Born in Hettinger, N.D., in 1952, Tomac is the second oldest of 18 kids in his family with a 22-year difference between the youngest and the oldest. “And they were all born nine months and 15 minutes apart,” Tomac laughed, quoting Garrison Keillor. “Every day was like Thanksgiving since there were so many mouths to feed. … And the only fair way to compete for attention at the Tomac supper table was to be funny.” Tomac’s dinner-time antics became the root of his ProRodeo clowning career that lasted from 1971-2006 and a political career

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Steve Tomac was a ProRodeo clown from 1971-2006. During that time he served as a Democratic member of North Dakota’s House of Representatives and state Senate.

THE TOMAC FILES Juggling multiple roles came naturally to Steve Tomac, a clown/barrelman. Among the things Tomac did professionally, politically and in rodeo were: • Graduate of North Dakota State University in 1976 • Worked at the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Basin Electric Cooperative and as a farm appraiser • Worked the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo (1985-2002) • Competed on the Wrangler Jeans Bullfighting Tour • Was the barrelman at the 1990 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo and the 1994 College National Finals Rodeo • Runner-up for Coors Man in the Can in 1989. • Elected to the North Dakota House (1987-89) and North Dakota Senate (1991-2002) • Served on the Badlands Circuit Board (1987-2004) • Inducted to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2008

ProRodeo Sports News 10/16/2020

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