Samuel D. Thompson (born July 31, 1935) is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey Senate since January 2012, representing the 12th Legislative district. Prior to redistricting in 2011, he served in the General Assembly from 1998 to 2012, representing the 13th district. Facing a difficult primary over his age, Thompson switched parties in February 2023 and will seek re-election as a Democrat. He however reversed his decision and announced on February 27, that he wont run for re-election 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 Ph.D. 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, served on the Continuing Care Advisory Council from 1998 to 2002 and on the New Jersey State Council for Adult Literacy Services from 2000 to 2002. He currently resides in Old Bridge Township and is married to the former Jacqueline P. Haycock. 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. 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. New Jersey Senate Elections 2011 election Following the reapportionment of the legislative districts for the 2010