of Gun Barrel City, and he campaigned vigorously for three months. On May 6, 2000, he defeated his only opponent Charles Robinson in the general election in a landslide, winning 67% of the vote. He was twenty-one years old and became the city's youngest Mayor and the youngest Mayor in Texas history. The first few months of Thomas' administration were marked by significant accomplishment, widespread support, and tremendous local, state, and national media attention. One of his first actions as Mayor was pushing through an immediate 10% pay raise for all police department employees. The Gun Barrel City Council voted at one point to allow the local hospital to raise the cost of an ambulance ride by $200.00, and Thomas vetoed their decision. It was the only time he used his veto power. Two weeks later, the City Council, in a 4-1 vote, was able to override Thomas' veto, and the price increase was ultimately implemented. Thomas was considered a rising star in the Texas Republican Party. He announced that he would seek the office of State Representative when his term as Mayor ended. At the time, he was a close, personal friend of Congressman Pete Sessions, whom Thomas considered to be a political mentor. He also maintained close relationships with then Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Carole Keeton Strayhorn, then State Senator Todd Staples, Governor Rick Perry, then State Representative Betty Brown, then Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, State Senator Bob Deuell, Congressman Joe Barton, then Congressman Tom DeLay, then House Majority Leader Dick Armey, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, then Texas Land Commissioner David Dewhurst, and other elected officials. Thomas was a member of the Electoral College in the United States presidential election in Texas, 2000. He was elected during the Fifth Congressional District caucus to this position while serving as a delegate to the State Republican Convention, defeating one unknown opponent. When George W. Bush was elected President in 2000, Thomas technically became a Texas Statewide Elected Official for one day when he cast his Electoral vote in Austin, Texas on December 18, 2000. Legal difficulties Community support began to diminish when Henderson County, Texas District Attorney Donna R. Bennett launched an investigation focusing on Thomas. She utilized the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the investigators were Texas Ranger Sergeant Steve Foster, assisted by District Attorney Internal Investigator (and now Henderson County