RunWithMary@gmail.com

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Attorney Mary Thomas, (Lathika-37) Republican from Tallahassee, has kicked off her campaign for  Congress from the 2nd District.

“With the strong support and help of our Indian community, I will be able to be victorious in my race for Congress. If I am elected, I will be the first Indian-American woman to serve in Congress. This would truly be a historic event,” she told dlatimes.

The seat currently is held by Rep. Gwen Graham, Democrat. At a news conference at the Florida Press Center, she said her priorities were cutting taxes, ending illegal immigration, dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and ending Common Core standards, according to Tallahassee Democrat.

"Let's cut taxes," she said. "Let's eliminate unnecessary regulations. Let's cut wasteful spending. Let's force Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority to reign in the executive. And let's adopt a flat or fair tax to stimulate economic growth."

She introduced herself as the daughter of legal immigrants from India, a wife, mom and Christian. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, who relocated with her family to Florida as a child, is hoping to become the first Indian-American elected to Congress from the state, something she said "would truly be an historic event."

Her parents, Dr Tom Thomas and Dr Aney of Palm Harbor near Tampa, immigrated to America in 1972. She is the second child of them. The older daughter, Dr. Kavitha practices in Miami and younger son Prem runs his own business in Florida.

Mary Thomas said the issue of illegal immigration is "deeply personal to me and my family."

"My parents came to this country legally," she said. "They were willing to follow the law so that their children could have a better life, so that I could be here before you today the proud descendant of immigrants. So when President Obama grants illegal and unconstitutional amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, it is an outrage to me, my parents and to all of the immigrants waiting in line to become Americans legally."

Thomas works as general counsel for the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, though she said she plans to step down from the post to campaign full time. She said she's worked in state government since Gov. Rick Scott's election in 2010 and that the governor has been "very supportive" of her campaign.

"Gov. Scott and his administration have proven that free market principles work," she said. "Washington could take a few lessons from what we've done here in Florida."

She criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for recent rulings upholding the Affordable Care Act and legalizing gay marriage, decisions she called "an abomination."

She also criticized Rep Graham, who's serving her first term in Congress, for supporting the president's stance on immigration and other issues, including the Affordable Care Act.

Recently, former Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, whom Graham defeated last year, has said he's considering running for the seat.

Thomas said she's committed to running in the district.

Mary Thomas is a strong, conservative Republican, a mom, an attorney, and a first-generation American.

Mary is running for Congress.  If elected, Mary would make history as the first Indian-American woman to serve in Congress.

Mary was born in Charleston, South Carolina, to immigrant parents who arrived in America from India in 1972 with their educations and the hope of living the American dream.  The Thomas family eventually settled in Pinellas County, where they started a successful small business. Mary’s parents instilled in her the conservative ideals of the importance of family, hard work, self-sufficiency, and the value of education.

Mary is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Law. She also holds a Masters of Law from the University of Miami and a Bachelors degree from the University of South Florida.

Mary has lived in Tallahassee for over a decade.  She has been a member of Governor Rick Scott’s Administration since he was sworn into office in January 2011. Mary currently serves as the General Counsel at the Department of Elder Affairs where she manages and oversees the legal department of an agency that administers a $900 million budget. 

During her time in the Scott Administration, Mary has worked closely on issues that directly impact the citizens, businesses, military installations, and environment of the Second Congressional District. Her experience includes: serving as the Governor’s representative in negotiations regarding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill; developing strategies to protect the Apalachicola Bay from Georgia’s unchecked consumption of water, strategies that ultimately resulted in the filing of a lawsuit against Georgia in the U.S. Supreme Court; and helping to solve military base encroachment issues around the Panhandle’s military installations.

As a member of the Gulf Winds Track and Triathlon Clubs, Mary has participated in over 50 road races and triathlons in locations across the Second District. During one of these races that was held in Mexico Beach, Mary’s husband, John, proposed to her.

Their son Luke was born at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Mary and her family attend the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Tallahassee.

Those interested in speaking with Mary about her potential candidacy can reach her at: RunWithMary@gmail.com

www.runwithmary.com