Luken received his high school diploma in 1942 from Purcell High School . During the Second World War, Luken served as a U.S. marine. In 1947, he earned a bachelor of arts degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, after having earned some credits at Bowling Green State University. In 1950, he earned a law degree at the Salmon P. Chase Law School at Northern Kentucky University and began practicing law.

From 1955 to 1961, Luken served as solicitor for the city of Deer Park, Ohio. He was then appointed U.S. attorney for Ohio's Southern District, in which he served from 1961 to 1964. He served on the Cincinnati city council from 1964 to 1967 and from 1969 to 1974. He also was the mayor of Cincinnati from 1971 to 1972.

In 1974, Luken won a special election in the Cincinnati-based 1st Congressional District to fill out the term of William J. Keating, a Republican who resigned from his seat. However, he was defeated later that year in his bid for a full term by Republican Bill Gradison, who had preceded him as mayor of Cincinnati. In 1976, Luken ran in the neighboring 2nd District and unseated Republican incumbent Donald D. Clancy, beginning service in 1977 (95th Congress). He was reelected six times, all by large margins.

Following the 1980 census, Luken and Gradison swapped districts, with Luken's district being renumbered District 1. He didn't run for an eight term in 1990, opting instead to retire in favor of his son, Cincinnati mayor Charlie Luken, who won a term to his father's former seat.

Tom's brother, Jim Luken, was a labor leader and also served as a Cincinnati mayor.

See also:

Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 2nd District Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 1st District List of United States Representatives from Ohio