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Samuel 'Sam' D. Thompson

R
Personal Details
Samuel D. Thompson (b. July 31, 1935 ) is a Republican member of the New Jersey State Senate, representing District 12. Thompson was elected to the chamber in 2011 and was re-elected to a new term in 2017.

Thompson served in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing District 13 from 1998 to 2012. He was moved into District 12 by the 2011 redistricting process.

Thompson earned his B.S. in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Louisiana State University. His professional experience includes working as director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority from 1995 to 1997, a research scientist for six years for DuPont and J.P. Stevens, and the director of the New Jersey State Department of Health, Lab Division from 1972 to 1994.

Policy Positions

Abortion & Reproductive Issues:

  a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes b) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes c) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
Yes d) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
  e) Other or expanded principles:

I do not consider myself pro- or anti-abortion. I consider each issue as it arises, e.g., I do not believe abortion should be used as a primary method of birth control but it should be available under some circumstances as noted. I do believe parental notification should be required.

Budget, Spending, & Tax Issues:

1) Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing New Jersey's budget.

  a) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions
  b) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees
  c) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
  d) An income tax increase on any tax bracket
  e) Other or expanded principles:

All parties must work together to redesign the pension system so that it be both affordable and fully funded. Retirement payouts for sick leave and accrued vacation must be reduced.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform Issues:

a) Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) Political Action Committee
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Party
Yes b) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes c) Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes d) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
Yes e) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
  f) Other or expanded principles:

Crime & Public Safety Issues:

Yes a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
No c) Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
Yes d) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
Yes e) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
No f) Do you support delaying the seizure of assets by law enforcement officials until after a conviction?
  g) Other or expanded principles:

Economic Issues:

Yes a) Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes b) Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes c) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
Yes d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
Yes e) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes f) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage?
Yes g) Do you support legalized state-sponsored sports betting in New Jersey?
Yes h) Do you support a tax on short-term housing rentals in New Jersey?
  i) Other or expanded principles:

Education Issues:

Yes a) Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
Yes b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from New Jersey high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities in New Jersey?
  d) Other or expanded principles:

Environment & Energy Issues:

Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes b) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Yes c) Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
  d) Other or expanded principles:

Gun Issues:

  a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
  c) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun possession?
  e) Other or expanded principles:

(a) For most issues that have been up, rarely

(c) Under reasonable limitations

Health Issues:

Yes a) Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
  c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes d) Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
  e) Other or expanded principles:

Social Issues:

  a) Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws?
  c) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws?
  d) Other or expanded principles:
Elections

2017

General election

Elections for the New Jersey State Senate took place in 2017. All 40 seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 6, 2017. The filing deadline for the primary election was April 3, 2017. Incumbent Samuel Thompson (R) defeated David Lande (D) and Kevin Antoine (Coach Kev) in the New Jersey State Senate District 12 general election.
New Jersey State Senate, District 12 General Election, 2017
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Samuel Thompson Incumbent 56.75% 30,013
Democratic David Lande 41.38% 21,888
Coach Kev Kevin Antoine 1.87% 990
Total Votes 52,891
Source: New Jersey Department of State

Democratic primary election

David Lande ran unopposed in the New Jersey State Senate District 12 Democratic primary election.
New Jersey State Senate, District 12 Democratic Primary, 2017
Candidate
Green check mark transparent.png David Lande
Source: New Jersey Department of State

Republican primary election

Incumbent Samuel Thompson defeated Art Haney in the New Jersey State Senate District 12 Republican primary election.

New Jersey State Senate, District 12 Republican Primary, 2017
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Samuel Thompson Incumbent 59.82% 4,277
Art Haney 40.18% 2,873
Total Votes 7,150
Source: New Jersey Department of State

2013

Thompson won re-election in the 2013 election for New Jersey State Senate District 12. Thompson was unopposed in the June 4 Republican primary and defeated Raymond D. Dothard (D) in the general election, which took place on November 5, 2013.

New Jersey State Senate, District 12 General Election, 2013
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSamuel Thompson Incumbent 65.4% 32,911
Democratic Raymond D. Dothard 34.6% 17,440
Total Votes 50,351

2011

Thompson won election to New Jersey State Senate District 12 in 2011. He was unopposed in the June 7 Republican primary election. Republican incumbent Jennifer Beck did not run for re-election. Thompson defeated Robert Brown (D) in the general election, which took place on November 8, 2011.

New Jersey State Senate District 12 General Election, 2011
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSamuel Thompson 59.8% 18,349
Democratic Robert "Bob" Brown 40.2% 12,317
Total Votes 30,666

2009

Thompson ran for re-election in the November 3, 2009, general election. He received 38,823 votes (32%), defeating challengers Bob Brown (D), James Grenafege (D) and Sean Dunne (Fight Corruption). He was bracketed with Amy Handlin (R).

New Jersey Assembly General Election, Thirteenth Legislative District (2009)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Amy H. Handlin (R) 39,998
Green check mark transparent.png Samuel D. Thompson (R) 38,967
Robert "Bob" Brown (D) 20,371
James Grenafege (D) 18,769