Samuel D. Thompson

{{Infobox officeholder

| image =

| name = Sam Thompson

| state_senate1 = New Jersey

| district1 = 12th

| term_start1 = January 10, 2012

| term_end1 = January 9, 2024

| predecessor1 = Jennifer Beck

| successor1 = Owen Henry

| state_assembly2 = New Jersey

| district2 = 13th

| term_start2 = January 13, 1998

| term_end2 = January 10, 2012

| predecessor2 = Joann H. Smith

| successor2 = Declan O'Scanlon

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1935|7|31|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Mobile, Alabama, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| spouse = Jacqueline Thompson

| party = Democratic (2023–present)
Republican (until 2023)

| children = 3

| residence = Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, U.S.

| alma_mater = University of Arkansas (BS)
Louisiana State University (PhD)

| website = [https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/336/senator-thompson Legislative Website]

}}

Samuel D. Thompson (born July 31, 1935) is an American politician and scientist who served in the New Jersey Senate from 2012 to 2024, representing the 12th Legislative district. Before redistricting in 2011, he served in the General Assembly from 1998 to 2012, representing the 13th district.

Thompson was first elected as a Republican, but facing a difficult primary over his age, he switched parties in February 2023 and said he would seek re-election as a Democrat.{{Cite web |last=Wildstein |first=David |date=2023-02-13 |title=Sam Thompson will switch parties and seek re-election to N.J. Senate as a Democrat |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/sam-thompson-will-switch-parties-and-seek-re-election-to-n-j-senate-as-a-democrat/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}} He however reversed his decision and announced on February 27, that he would not run for re-election.{{Cite web |last=Wildstein |first=David |date=2023-02-13 |title=Thompson won't seek re-election after party switch |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/thompson-wont-seek-re-election-after-party-switch/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}} His party switch increased the Democratic State Senate majority to 25-15.

Early life

Thompson was born in Mobile, Alabama and attended public schools in Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas. He reached the rank of Specialist Third Class while serving in the U.S. Army from 1955 through 1957. He received a B.S. in 1960 from the University of Arkansas in chemistry and mathematics and was awarded a PhD in 1965 from Louisiana State University in physical chemistry.[http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=24777 Assembly Member Samuel D. 'Sam' Thompson], Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 10, 2007.{{cite book |url=https://www.lawdiary.com/docs/2004-Legislative-Manual.pdf |title=Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey – Two Hundred and Eleventh Legislature (First Session) |year=2004 |publisher=Skinder-Strauss Associates |pages=263–264|accessdate=July 3, 2015}} He worked as a research chemist at duPont and J.P. Stevens and Company and was employed by the New Jersey Department of Health from 1972 to 1994 as a chemist and director of clinical laboratory improvement service. He served on the United States Armed Forces Epidemiological Board from 1983 to 1990. He was appointed by then Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman to serve on the Governor's Education Task Force in 1994 as Co-Chair. He served on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority from 1994 to 1997 as director of communications and formerly as director of planning, analysis, and government relations. Thompson has served on the New Jersey Advisory Council on Elder Care since 1998, the Continuing Care Advisory Council from 1998 to 2002, and the New Jersey State Council for Adult Literacy Services from 2000 to 2002. He is married to the former Jacqueline P. Haycock, and they live in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey.

Early political career

Thompson was chair of the Middlesex County Republican Organization from 1987 until 1994 and was a delegate to every Republican National Convention from 1988 through 2012.[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/336/senator-thompson Senator Samuel D. Thompson (R)], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 27, 2022

New Jersey Assembly

Thompson was first elected to the General Assembly in 1997 in the northern Monmouth County and northeastern Middlesex County-based 13th district. He served as the Assistant Republican Assembly Leader from 2004 to 2005. He served in the Assembly on the Appropriations Committee and the Human Services Committee.[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=336 Senator Thompson's legislative web page], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 27, 2022.

New Jersey Senate

=Elections=

==2011 election==

Following the reapportionment of the legislative districts for the 2010 Census, Thompson's hometown of Old Bridge was moved to the new 12th district, which was spread across the counties of Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex. The four Republican county committees endorsed Thompson to be the Senator from the new district{{cite web |url=http://www.njelections.org/2011-results/2011-official-primary-candidates-state-senate-051911.pdf |title=Official List Candidates for State Senate For June 2011 Primary Election |publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey |date=May 19, 2011 |accessdate=July 3, 2015}} and was elected in the 2011 general election defeating Democrat Robert "Bob" Brown.

==2017 election==

Thompson defeated challenger Art Haney in the June 3, 2021 primary and Democrat David Lande in the general election.{{cite web |title=Art Haney |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Art_Haney |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=23 January 2021 |language=en |date=23 January 2021}}

=Tenure=

He sat on three Senate committees (Budget and Appropriations, Environment and Energy, and State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation) and two joint committees (Housing Affordability and Public Schools). In May 2017, Thompson introduced a bill to designate Streptomyces griseus as New Jersey's State Microbe, to be added to the state's other state symbols. S. griseus was chosen for this honor because it is a New Jersey native that made unique contributions to healthcare and scientific research worldwide. A strain of S. griseus that produced the antibiotic streptomycin was discovered in New Jersey in 1916 and developed into an antibiotic by a Rutgers University team by Albert Schatz and Selman Waksman in 1943.[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2016/Bills/S3500/3190_I1.HTM Senate, No. 3190 State of New Jersey 217th Legislature Introduced May 15, 2017], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed November 30, 2017. "Sponsored By: Senator Samuel D. Thompson District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth And Ocean) Synopsis: Designates Streptomyces Griseus As New Jersey State Microbe." A companion bill was introduced in the Assembly in June 2017 by Annette Quijano.[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2016/Bills/A5000/4900_I1.HTM Assembly, No. 4900 State of New Jersey 217th Legislature Introduced June 1, 2017], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed November 30, 2017. "Sponsored By: Assemblywoman Annette Quijano District 20 (Union) Synopsis: Designates Streptomyces Griseus As New Jersey State Microbe." During the 2019 budget fight, Democrats passed a budget without Governor Phil Murphy's millionaires tax. Thompson was one of six Republicans to vote for the budget.{{Cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/senate-passes-budget-31-6/|title=Senate passes budget 31-6|work=New Jersey Globe|access-date=June 20, 2019}}

= Committees =

Joint Committee on Housing Affordability
Joint Committee on the Public Schools
Budget and Appropriations
Education
State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation

= District 12 =

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.Article IV, New Jersey State Constitution (1947). The representatives from the 12th District for the 2022—23 Legislative Session were:[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster?district=12 Legislative Roster for District 12], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2022.

Senator Samuel D. Thompson (D)
Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton (R)
Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R)

Electoral history

=Senate=

{{Election box begin no change

|title = 12th Legislative District General Election, 2021{{cite web |title=Official List, Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 06/08/2021 Election |url=https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2021/2021-official-general-results-state-senate.pdf |publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey |access-date=December 12, 2021 |date=November 30, 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Samuel D. Thompson (incumbent)

| votes = 46,897

| percentage = 64.94

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Joseph Altomonte

| votes = 25,321

| percentage = 35.06

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 72,218

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin

| title = New Jersey general election, 2017{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf|title=2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=3 April 2019}}}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = Sam Thompson

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 30,013

| percentage = 56.7

| change = {{decrease}} 8.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=David H. Lande|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=21,888|percentage=41.4|change={{increase}} 6.8}}

{{Election box candidate

| candidate = Kevin Antoine

| party = Coach Kev

| votes = 990

| percentage = 1.9

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 52,891

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title= New Jersey State Senate elections, 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.njelections.org/2013-results/2013-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf |title=Official List Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/05/2015 Election |publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey |date=December 4, 2013 |accessdate=July 3, 2015}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Sam Thompson (incumbent)

|votes = 32,911

|percentage = 65.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Raymond D. Dothard

|votes = 17,440

|percentage = 34.6

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing|

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title= New Jersey State Senate elections, 2011[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2011-official-gen-elect-state-senate-results-121411.pdf Official List Candidate Returns for State Senate For November 2011 General Election], New Jersey Department of State, December 14, 2011. Accessed June 22, 2012.}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Samuel D. Thompson

|votes = 22,578

|percentage = 59.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert "Bob" Brown

|votes = 15,125

|percentage = 40.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing|

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

= Assembly =

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 2009{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2009-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-tallies-120109.pdf|title=2009-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-tallies-120109.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=3 April 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Amy H. Handlin

|votes = 39,998

|percentage = 32.9

|change = {{increase}} 4.3

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Samuel D. Thompson

|votes = 38,967

|percentage = 32.1

|change = {{increase}} 3.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert "Bob" Brown

|votes = 20,371

|percentage = 16.8

|change = {{decrease}} 4.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = James Grenafege

|votes = 18,769

|percentage = 15.4

|change = {{decrease}} 6.7

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Fight Corruption

|candidate = Sean Dunne

|votes = 3,388

|percentage = 2.8

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 121,493

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 2007{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf|title=2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=3 April 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Amy H. Handlin

|votes = 22,705

|percentage = 28.6

|change = {{increase}} 2.7

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Samuel Thompson

|votes = 22,576

|percentage = 28.5

|change = {{increase}} 2.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Patricia Walsh

|votes = 17,502

|percentage = 22.1

|change = {{decrease}} 0.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert "Bob" Brown

|votes = 16,505

|percentage = 20.8

|change = {{decrease}} 1.1

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 79,288

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 2005{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2005_Official_General_Assembly_tallies.pdf|title=05831236.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=3 April 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Amy Handlin

|votes = 29,405

|percentage = 25.9

|change = {{increase}} 1.8

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Samuel D. Thompson

|votes = 29,326

|percentage = 25.9

|change = {{increase}} 1.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = William E. Flynn

|votes = 25,814

|percentage = 22.8

|change = {{decrease}} 1.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael Dasaro

|votes = 24,824

|percentage = 21.9

|change = {{decrease}} 1.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Mike Hall

|votes = 2,061

|percentage = 1.8

|change = {{decrease}} 0.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Greg Orr

|votes = 1,899

|percentage = 1.7

|change = {{decrease}} 0.6

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 113,329

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 2003{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2003gen-elect_assembly_candidate_tally.pdf|title=2003g_a_candidate_tally.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=3 April 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Samuel D. Thompson

|votes = 20,378

|percentage = 24.4

|change = {{decrease}} 3.3

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Joe Azzolina

|votes = 20,125

|percentage = 24.1

|change = {{decrease}} 4.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Leonard Inzerillo

|votes = 19,881

|percentage = 23.8

|change = {{increase}} 1.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Thomas Perry

|votes = 19,178

|percentage = 23.0

|change = {{increase}} 2.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Mike W. Hall

|votes = 2,002

|percentage = 2.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Jaime Donnelly

|votes = 1,896

|percentage = 2.3

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 83,460

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=New Jersey general election, 2001{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf|title=2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=4 April 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Joe Azzolina

|votes = 33,777

|percentage = 28.9

|change =

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Samuel D. Thompson

|votes = 32,397

|percentage = 27.7

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Graham

|votes = 25,851

|percentage = 22.1

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Steven T. Piech

|votes = 23,741

|percentage = 20.3

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Diane Hittner

|votes = 874

|percentage = 0.7

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no change|

|party = We, The People

|candidate = Mac Dara F.X. Lyden

|votes = 422

|percentage = 0.4

|change =

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 117,062

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 1999{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/1999-general-elect-gen-assembly-candidate-tallies.pdf|title=1999-general-elect-gen-assembly-candidate-tallies.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=4 April 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Joe Azzolina

|votes = 18,758

|percentage = 28.1

|change = {{decrease}} 2.5

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Sam Thompson

|votes = 17,307

|percentage = 25.9

|change = {{decrease}} 1.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Patrick M. Gillespie

|votes = 15,020

|percentage = 22.5

|change = {{increase}} 2.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Alex R. DeSevo

|votes = 14,015

|percentage = 21.0

|change = {{increase}} 1.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = New Jersey Conservative Party

|candidate = Sylvia Kuzmak

|votes = 820

|percentage = 1.2

|change = {{decrease}} 0.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = New Jersey Conservative Party

|candidate = Louis A. Novellino

|votes = 807

|percentage = 1.2

|change = {{decrease}} 0.2

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 66,727

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 1997{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/05/nyregion/the-1997-elections-results-the-races-for-the-new-jersey-assebly.html|title=THE 1997 ELECTIONS: RESULTS; The Races for the New Jersey Assembly|work=New York Times|access-date=4 April 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Joe Azzolina

|votes = 33,976

|percentage = 30.6

|change = {{increase}} 5.1

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Sam Thompson

|votes = 30,108

|percentage = 27.1

|change = {{increase}} 1.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Dennis M. Maher

|votes = 22,162

|percentage = 20.0

|change = {{decrease}} 3.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Nicholas Minutolo

|votes = 21,712

|percentage = 19.6

|change = {{decrease}} 1.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = New Jersey Conservative Party

|candidate = Leonard T. Skoblar

|votes = 1,504

|percentage = 1.4

|change = {{decrease}} 1.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = New Jersey Conservative Party

|candidate = Sylvia Kuzmak

|votes = 1,456

|percentage = 1.3

|change = {{decrease}} 1.0

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 110,918

| percentage = 100.0

}}

References

External links

[http://thompson.senatenj.com Senator Sam Thompson's Official Site]
[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/336/senator-thompson Senator Thompson's legislative web page], New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms – [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2016.pdf 2016] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2015.pdf 2015] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2014.pdf 2014] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2013.pdf 2013] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2012.pdf 2012] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2011.pdf 2011] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2010.pdf 2010] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2009.pdf 2009] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2008.pdf 2008] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2007.pdf 2007] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2006.pdf 2006] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2005.pdf 2005] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ThompsonS2004.pdf 2004]
[http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/24777 Assembly Member Samuel D. 'Sam' Thompson], Project Vote Smart

{{succession box |before=Jennifer Beck |title=Member of the New Jersey Senate for the 12th District |years=January 10, 2012 – January 9, 2024 |after=Owen Henry}}

{{succession box |before=Joann H. Smith |title=Member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 13th District |years=January 13, 1998 – January 10, 2012 |with=Joseph Azzolina, Amy Handlin |after=Declan O'Scanlon}}

Category:1935 births

Category:20th-century American chemists

Category:Chemists from New Jersey

Category:Democratic Party New Jersey state senators

Category:Living people

Category:Louisiana State University alumni

Category:People from Old Bridge Township, New Jersey

Category:Politicians from Middlesex County, New Jersey

Category:Politicians from Mobile, Alabama

Category:Republican Party New Jersey state senators

Category:Republican Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly

Category:United States Army soldiers

Category:University of Arkansas alumni

Category:21st-century members of the New Jersey Legislature

Category:20th-century members of the New Jersey Legislature