Preceded by Albert Thomas Name Lera Thomas Succeeded by Bob Eckhardt Role Former U.S. Congressman | Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party Religion Methodist Resigned January 3, 1967 | |
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Born August 3, 1900
Nacogdoches, Texas ( 1900-08-03 ) Children Anne Thomas Lasater, Lera Thomas Died July 23, 1993, Nacogdoches, Texas, United States Spouse Albert Richard Thomas (m. 1922) Previous office Representative (TX 8th District) 1966–1967 Education Brenau University, University of Alabama | ||
Lera Millard Thomas (August 3, 1900 – July 23, 1993) was the wife of Congressman Albert Thomas and briefly succeeded her husband as the Representative in Congress representing the Eighth District of Texas from 1966 to 1967. She also founded Millard's Crossing Historic Village.
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Early life
Born Lera Millard August 3, 1900, in Nacogdoches, Texas, she attended Brenau College in Gainesville, Georgia, and the University of Alabama. She married Albert Thomas in 1922. Albert Thomas was elected to Congress in 1936, and they lived in Washington, DC after that. Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Houston League of Women Voters. The Thomases had two daughters, Ann Thomas Lasater and Lera Thomas.
Elected to Congress
On February 15, 1966, her husband died and a special election was called for March 26, 1966 to elect another Representative. Lera Millard Thomas was the first woman elected to Congress from the State of Texas, when she was elected as a Democrat in the special election to succeed her deceased husband. She received over 74% of the vote against Republican Louis Leman who urged voters to vote for the Widow Thomas. She served on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee where she supported funds to expand the Houston Ship Channel. Because he died after filing for office in 1966, Albert Thomas's name remained on the Democratic Primary ballot for the 8th District and his widow determined that she would not seek a full term for 1967. State Representative Bob Eckhardt won the primary for a full term. After serving the remainder of her husband's term, Thomas left Congress on January 3, 1967. After her term in Congress, Mrs. Thomas served as special liaison for the Houston Chronicle to members of the armed services in Vietnam.
Later years
When she returned from Vietnam, Thomas founded Millard's Crossing Historic Village in Nacogdoches. She resided in Nacogdoches until her death there on July 23, 1993. She was interred in Oak Grove Cemetery.