Derek Thomas

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Derek Thomas

Nonpartisan

Jefferson City Council Ward 3

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

0

Predecessor

Scott Spencer

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

April 8, 2025

Education

High school

Jesuit High School

Personal

Birthplace

California

Profession

Business Management

Contact

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Derek Thomas is a member of the Jefferson City City Council in Missouri, representing Ward 3. He assumed office on April 21, 2025. His current term ends in 2027.

Thomas ran for election to the Jefferson City City Council to represent Ward 3 in Missouri. He won in the general election on April 8, 2025.

Thomas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Derek Thomas was born in California. He earned a high school diploma from Jesuit High School. His career experience includes working in business management. He has been affiliated with Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Jefferson City, Missouri (2025)

General election

General election for Jefferson City Council Ward 3

Derek Thomas defeated Erica Choinka in the general election for Jefferson City Council Ward 3 on April 8, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Derek Thomas (Nonpartisan)	53.0	458
	Submit photo	Erica Choinka (Nonpartisan)	47.0	406

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 864
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Thomas in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Derek Thomas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Thomas' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I will bring my decades of management experience in retail, manufacturing and service industries, along with my work on the Chamber of Commerce government affairs and transportation committees to the city council. I'm an active member of the city's Airport Advisory Committee, a coordinator for the Show Me State Air Show. Past president of my HOA, with its own road and water systems. As a regular attendee of Jefferson City's City Council meetings, and virtually all committee meetings, I’ll be ready on Day One to speak for the residents of the 3rd ward, and the city as a whole.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Respect. Respect for our hard earned tax dollars. Respect for the residents of Jefferson City. Respect for our great city staff and public safety personnel. Respect for my fellow council members. Everyone should have a voice, and be listened to.
• Economic development is critical to our city's success. We need to bring in more businesses, solve our local housing issues and be welcoming to employers and staffers in our great city.
• I will provide steady leadership, thoughtful deliberation and considered decisions to our city council. No surprises for our residents, our staff, or our budget.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Housing. 78% of the people working in our city do not live here. This needs to change. We need to remove the roadblocks to fair and attainable housing at all levels. Potential employers need to know that we have the people and the housing to support their businesses.

Public works - we need to insure the infrastructure is here, and sustainable, not only for growth but to maintain what we already have.

Parks and recreation. We work hard - we need the spaces and activities to be able to play as hard as one wants. We have great parks. They are vital to this city's wellbeing and are an integral part of resident's desire to live here, locate here and work here.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Transparency - let constituents know the who, what, why, where and how of activities, decisions, etc. No surprises. To the extent humanly possible, short of natural disasters and other unknowable events, the actions of a political body should not be a surprise to anyone. And other than catastrophic events, there should be no need to rush any decisions. Expert, staff and constituent feedback is crucial to good decision making.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To understand the needs of the city and work deliberatively towards providing those needs. To respect the hard earned tax dollars that fund the city's activities. To help create a city that is welcoming, growing and thriving.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The day President Kennedy was shot. 11 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Warehouseman and delivery man for the Columbia MO Sears store was my first full time job. I think for about 2 years. had worked as a busboy, waiter and cook, as well as a packer at a meat company through my high-school and college years. From Sears I moved on to a retail store manager - where I was for several years.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Work and life experience is critical for any leadership position.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Having some expertise in business law, human relations, organizing and managing groups, communications and finance are all pluses. Analytical thinking, decision making and leadership skills are most important.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

Our city council is responsible for all aspects of how our city operates. Streets, police, fire, public works, parks, our airport, planning and zoning, budgeting and labor contracts - the city council touches all aspects of our residents.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Jefferson City Council Ward 3

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Scott Spencer	Jefferson City Council Ward 3 2025-Present	Succeeded by -