Thomas to challenge Hannon for Senate District 6

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Democrat Kevin Thomas is vying for a chance to represent the State Senate’s 6th District and unseat Incumbent Kemp Hannon, a Republican who has filled the role since 1989.

The race for District 6 initially included a Democratic primary between Thomas and Andrew Grover, which was set for Sept. 13, but Grover withdrew from the race roughly two weeks ago, according to the Nassau County Board of Elections.

Thomas is a newcomer to the political arena and, if he wins, it could mean tilting the balance of power in the Republican-controlled Senate. He initially announced his plans to run in the primary for New York’s 2nd Congressional District, before changing his direction and earning a spot on the 6th District race.

Thomas has almost a decade of experience as an attorney with the New York Legal Assistance Group, a nonprofit that offers free legal services to those in need, and said that he wishes to continue helping others on a larger scale.

The Levittown resident immigrated to the United States from India at 10 and worked as a civilian employee with the New York Police Department before earning a law degree from the Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University in 2010. From there, he began his tenure as an attorney and has gained attention from the New York Times for challenging students loan companies that took advantage of their clients.

“I want to help others the way I’ve helped people for close to a decade now,” Thomas said, adding that his goals also include fighting to protect consumer health care, preserve unions, increase state aid to Long Island schools and protect immigrants’ rights, among many others.

During Kemp Hannon’s tenure in the Senate, he has chaired its Health and Housing committees and was one of the main voices behind the state’s reauthorization of the Health Care Reform Act and the development of New York's Assisted Living Program.