TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - An attorney for Governor Rick Scott's administration puts her name in the running for U.S. Congress, district two, the seat currently held by Representative Gwen Graham.
Mary Thomas, general counsel at the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, announced her candidacy Wednesday in Tallahassee.
The 36-year old touts herself as a conservative christian wife, mother, attorney and first generation American.
Thomas says illegal immigration is an issue she is passionate about and will campaign on over the next year.
"My parents came to this country from India in 1972 and they came here legally, so illegal immigration is an issue that is very personal to both me and my family," said Thomas. "So I think when President Obama issues unconstitutional and illegal amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, it's not only an outrage to me, but it's also an outrage to my parents and thousands of immigrants waiting in line to become Americans the legal way."
Thomas says if elected, she would like to be on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Water Resources Subcommittee.
"I think we have a lot of coastal issues in our district. It's over 200 miles of pristine coastline that is very vulnerable to hurricanes," said Thomas. "We also have the Apalachicola Bay and the many issues that surround the Apalachicola Bay, so I think being on the committee would allow me to have oversight over the Army Corps of Engineers and hopefully do things such as bringing fresh water flows back to the bay."
Thomas feels being in the Governor's office, she has had direct experience working on Apalachicola Bay issues and fighting to bring the water back to the bay, including being active in the US Supreme Court against Georgia to bring waters back to the bay.
"I also served as the Governor's representative in negotiations with the Department of Justice to secure our state and local interests after the
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill," said Thomas. "I've also worked extensively on protecting our military bases from encroachment and ensuring that they're safe in the next brack. So I think I have a lot of relevant experience that would translate well with helping the interests of our district".
If elected, Thomas would be the first Indian-American woman in Congress.
