Richard C. Thomas

Richard C. Thomas (May 3, 1937 -- November 2, 1991) was a politician and government official who served four terms as Secretary of State of Vermont.

Early life

Richard Clark Thomas was born in Washburn, Maine on May 3, 1937.^[1][2] He was raised in Rutland, Vermont, and was a graduate of Rutland High School.^[2] Thomas graduated from Middlebury College in 1959.^[1][3] He completed the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve; he was a member of the Field Artillery branch, and attained the rank of captain.^[2][4]

Thomas attended Georgetown University Law Center for a year, and was a reporter and writer for the F. W. Dodge Corporation from 1960 to 1963.^[1][3] From 1963 to 1965 he worked on the staff of Senator Winston L. Prouty as a research assistant, campaign coordinator, and press secretary.^[1][3] Thomas was executive director of the Vermont Republican Party from 1965 to 1968.^[1] In 1968 he was appointed first assistant clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives.^[1]

Secretary of state

In 1968, Thomas was the successful Republican nominee for Secretary of State of Vermont.^[1] He was reelected three times, and served from January 1969 to January 1977.^[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for a fifth term in 1976, and was defeated by Democrat James A. Guest.^[5]

Later career

After leaving office, Thomas was a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia and was employed as the state liaison for the Federal Election Commission.^[6] At the FEC, he was responsible for coordinating the agency's work with state and local election officials.^[6] In addition, he oversaw compilation of the FEC's annual Combined Federal and State Disclosure Directory, as well as reports on the results of federal elections.^[6]

Death

Thomas died of throat cancer in Falls Church, Virginia on November 2, 1991.^[3][4]

Family

Thomas was married to Patricia L. McGlynn.^[3] They were the parents of a son, Richard, and two daughters, Lisa and Leslie.^[3]

References

Sources

Newspaper

• Clarke, Rod (November 3, 1976). "Alden Leads Buckley: Snelling, Stafford, Jeffords, Diamond and Guest Victorious". Bennington Banner. Bennington, VT. United Press International. p. 1. (Subscription required (help)). 
• "FEC Official R.C. Thomas Dies at 54". Washington Post. Washington, DC. November 4, 1991. 
• "Former Vt. Politician Dies at 54". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Associated Press. November 5, 1991. p. 11. (Subscription required (help)). 

Internet

• "In Memoriam, Richard Clark Thomas" (PDF). Federal Elections Commission Record. Washington, DC. December 1, 1991. p. 3. 
• "Biography, Richard C. Thomas" (PDF). Vermont State Archives. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 1. 

Magazines

• "In Memoriam, Richard C. Thomas". Middlebury College Magazine. Middlebury, VT: Middlebury College. 1992. p. 78.