Thomas Holliday Hicks began his career in public service as a local law enforcement official, eventually rising to the position of Sheriff of Dorchester County. He transitioned into state politics, serving multiple terms in the House of Delegates and later on the Governor's Council. Hicks held various administrative roles, including Register of Wills for Dorchester County. His political affiliations evolved from the Democratic to the Whig Party and eventually to the Know-Nothing Party. Hicks' career highlights include being elected governor and appointed to the U.S. Senate, where he endorsed Abraham Lincoln's reelection.

Thomas Holliday Hicks's political journey is marked by a series of ideological shifts, from Democrat to Whig, and finally to the Know-Nothing Party, revealing a highly localized approach to aligning with prevailing regional sentiments. His rhetoric against immigration during his gubernatorial tenure highlights a nativist stance that contrasts sharply with his later support for Abraham Lincoln, suggesting a calculated balancing act between personal convictions and broader political expediencies. Hicks's legislative record shows an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, revealing a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests.