Why Thomas is Running
It has been a great privilege for Thomas to serve his community as a State Representative over the past three terms. He is proud of the work he has done to reign in reckless spending and push back against government overreach. Having a backbone and using the power of the purse has brought some normalcy back to Michigan families but there is more that can be done to preserve our hard-earned freedom and allow families to thrive. In the Michigan Senate, Thomas will continue to support our local communities and uphold our Constitution.
The hardworking people of the 18th District need an experienced conservative voice in Lansing who will challenge big government liberals and their continued overreach. Thomas has the proven track record to do so. He looks forward to seeing you on the campaign trail and earning your vote.
Proven Leadership in Lansing
Thomas has consistently tackled the big issues while serving in the State House. In his first term, he successfully championed efforts to control unfunded pension liabilities. In his second term, Thomas chaired the $2 billion corrections budget. Under his leadership, a renewed emphasis was placed on improving employee wellness and combating recidivism. Additionally, Thomas proudly supported the no-fault auto insurance reform that effectuated lower auto insurance rates in Michigan.
Currently, Thomas serves as the House Appropriations Chair, leading the House in managing the $69 billion state budget. Over the past two years, the federal government has given Michigan billions of taxpayer dollars. As Chair, Thomas has worked tirelessly to ensure the spending of these dollars stays one time and does not create more government dependency.
Additional legislative efforts championed by Thomas that have been signed into law include: numerous pension reform bills, equalized per student funding for K-12, prohibition on vaccine mandates and passports for state and local employees, COVID liability protections for businesses, allowing military experience to count as professional work experience for state and local government jobs, prohibiting minors from possessing vaping products, and protecting the unborn and pregnant mothers by requiring a warning label on marijuana products.
Family
Thomas and his wife, Erica, were married in 2010. They have been blessed with five beautiful children. They live in Vergennes Township, located in East Kent County.
Thomas’s family has roots in both Kent and Ionia Counties where his parents, brothers, nieces, nephews, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins still live. He is proud that his father is a retired teacher, his mother is a retired social worker, and his four older brothers are all law enforcement officers.
Education
Thomas began his early years of schooling at St. Patrick’s Elementary in Ada and then moved on to Belding High School. He attended the University of Michigan where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Political Science and History. Through his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Thomas was able to use the G.I. Bill to attain a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University with a concentration in finance. Thomas then obtained the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) certification.
Military Career (USMC) and Beyond
Thomas spent 10 weeks between his junior and senior year of undergrad at the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. Upon graduating from the University of Michigan, Thomas was commissioned as a Marine Corps Officer. He spent the next year attending training schools to enter the operational forces as a Motor Transport Platoon Commander. In 2009, Thomas deployed to Iraq as an advisor to the Iraqi Army in the Anbar Province.
After completing active duty, he served as a reservist until 2013. In 2013, Thomas began working as an investor for the State of Michigan Retirement Systems and he remained there until running for State House in 2016.