Samuel D. Thompson

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. He however reversed his decision and announced on February 27, that he would not run for re-election. 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. 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.

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 and was elected in the 2011 general election defeating Democrat Robert "Bob" Brown.

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). A companion bill was introduced in the Assembly in June 2017 by Annette Quijano. 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.

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. The representatives from the 12th District for the 2022—23 Legislative Session were: Senator Samuel D. Thompson (D) Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton (R) Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R)

Electoral history Senate

Assembly