Thomas was elected from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district as a Republican to the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses (March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1875).
Thomas was elected to represent North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses as a Republican. His term of office spanned from March 4, 1871, to March 3, 1875.