Prior to becoming a state legislator, she was a consultant active in the nonprofit sector for 26 years. She founded and owns Stetwin Consulting, a Norwalk-based consulting firm that advises nonprofits on fundraising strategies.[5] Prior to running for the state legislature, she was a member of the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee.[6]
Thomas decided to mount another candidacy to represent the district in the 2020 election. She announced her candidacy in February 2020, and expressed her intention to run against Lavielle.[9] However, Lavielle decided to forgo a bid for reelection, and supported fellow Republican Patrizia Zucaro's candidacy to succeed her.[10]
Thomas ultimately won the general election against Zucaro[11][12] She took office on January 6, 2021. As a member of the state house, Thomas served as a member of both the Commerce and Transportation Committees, as well as the Government Administration and Elections Committee.[13]
2020 Connecticut State House of Representatives election, District 143[14]
Thomas ran for the position of Secretary of the State in the 2022 election after incumbent Denise Merrill declined to run for a fourth term in office.[15] Thomas faced Maritza Bond, health director of New Haven, in the Democratic primary. Bond received the endorsements of several labor unions, while Thomas received the endorsement of the state Democratic Party.
Thomas in January 2023
During the primary campaign, Bond criticized Thomas for missing a legislative vote related to state employees' union contracts. She defended her record, noting the labor endorsements she received during her state house candidacy. She stated she missed the vote due to work-related duties at her day job leading a nonprofit.[16]
Thomas ultimately won the nomination against Bond.[17] In the general election, Thomas ran on a platform that supported expanding access to voting.[3] Thomas won the general election against Republican opponent Dominic Rapini.[18] Thomas' victory made her the first African-American to serve as Secretary of the State.[3][19]
2022 Connecticut Secretary of the State election[20]
Thomas being sworn in as Secretary of the State on January 4, 2023
Following the controversial 2023 Bridgeport mayoral election, which was surrounded by allegations of voting irregularities, Thomas weighed in in support of proposed state legislation to increase election oversight.[21] In 2024, Thomas presided over the launch of the NextGen Elections program, which aims to recruit college students to become election workers.[22]
In 2024, Thomas testified before the state legislature on the need to protect election workers from security threats.[23] Under Thomas, the Secretary of the State's office has led an outreach campaign to help Connecticut residents identify election misinformation and disinformation.[24]
^ abcRodriguez, Barbara (2023-02-16). "CT approved early voting. Here's how the secretary of state wants to make it happen". CT Mirror. Retrieved 2024-09-13. Thomas, a Democrat and former state lawmaker who campaigned on expanding voting access, defeated Republican Dominic Rapini, who questioned the 2020 election results and claimed without proof that voter fraud is rampant. In the process, Thomas made history as the first Black person to be elected to the post.
^Shaiken, Ben (2018-09-26). "Stephanie Thomas". The Alliance. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
1 ▌New Progressive (1 territory) Italics indicate no secretary of state in this state, closest equivalent listed An asterisk (*) indicates that the officeholder is serving in an acting capacity.
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