[1] He was appointed to the vacant post on January 24 by Governor Mike Easley to replace W. David McFadyen Jr., who retired early.
"Pete" Bland, the Sheriff of Craven County, North Carolina, was appointed to replace Thomas in the State Senate.
[4] Bland was defeated for election to a full term by Republican State Representative Jean Preston.
[5] Thomas is the North Carolina Prosecutorial District 4, which includes Carteret, Craven and Pamlico counties.
He is a past President of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys and former Chairman of the Governor's Crime Commission.