NEW YORK (TIP): Indian American New York State Senator Kevin Thomas has launched his campaign for New York’s 4th Congressional District. He announced the bid in Elmont, NY, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, to take on first-term Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito in the next year’s congressional election.
Thomas, who has been representing New York’s 6th Senate district since 2018, said, “I’ve accomplished real results for Nassau County families – fighting to stop property tax hikes, clean up our drinking water, guarantee the right to an abortion under New York law, keep guns out of the wrong hands, and ensure our neighborhoods stay affordable and safe.” Thomas was quick to tie the incumbent to former President Donald J. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
“I’ve proven I can get things done to make life better for folks on Long Island, while MAGA Republicans like Anthony D’Esposito offer up extremism and political games that only make things worse,” he said. “Now, more than ever, we need action. I’m ready to take this fight to Washington to be an effective voice for Long Islanders at a time when we need it the most!”
The 4th district, covering central and southern Nassau County, is one of the wealthiest congressional districts in the country and the second wealthiest in New York.
The Democratic-leaning district was narrowly won by D’Esposito.
It has voted for every Democratic presidential nominee since 1992. In 2020, President Joe Biden won the district by 14 points, making it one of the 18 districts nationally that voted for Biden for president and a GOP candidate for Congress. Reportedly, it is the most Democratic district held by a Republican.

In 2018, he became the first Indian American elected to the New York State Senate, when he defeated the incumbent Sen. Kemp Hannon, who had been a New York state lawmaker since January 1977.

Currently, Thomas holds the position of Assistant Majority Leader in the state senate and serves as the chairman of its Consumer Protection Committee. Additionally, he is a member of several committees, including Rules, Finance, Health, Judiciary, Local Government, and Agriculture.

24 hours after announcing his entrance into the race, state Senator Kevin Thomas has raised $109,000 against Republican Anthony D’Esposito in New York’s 4th Congressional District. Thomas announced his bid to defeat D’Esposito yesterday at his parents’ house in Elmont.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the early and astounding support for our campaign. In Congress, I’ll never stop fighting to help Long Island families, tackle the gun violence epidemic, protect our environment, and defend a woman’s right to choose.”

About Kevin

Kevin Thomas’ story is a Long Island story. It’s a story of perseverance, defending the vulnerable, and giving back to his community. Kevin immigrated to the United States at 10 years old. His parents never forgot nor took for granted the freedom and opportunities the United States gave them and their children. Their experience motivated Kevin to be an active participant in our democracy, and to give back through public service.

Knowing education was the key to success, Kevin worked hard, took out student loans he’s still paying off today, graduated college and then law school. Instead of joining a big, high-powered law firm, Kevin took a different path, becoming an attorney with the New York Legal Assistance Group, defending those too often pushed aside. He also served as an appointee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to the New York State Advisory Committee, Kevin worked tirelessly to advance civil rights and expand opportunities for all New Yorkers. When the powerful tried to take advantage of regular New Yorkers, Kevin took up their fight – and won.

In 2018, Kevin Thomas became the first Indian-American in New York history to serve in the State Senate. He is currently the Assistant Majority Leader and also serves as Chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee and sits on the Rules, Finance, Health, Judiciary, Local Government, and Agriculture committees. He has passed countless bills into law to make the lives of New Yorkers better. Kevin lives with his wife, Rincy, his daughter Layla, and their beloved family dog, Sirius.