Republican Old Bridge State Sen. Switches Parties To Democrat

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — State Sen. Samuel Thompson, a Republican who has long represented Old Bridge, announced Monday he will switch parties this year and run as a Democrat.

The news was exclusively reported by the New Jersey Globe.

Old Bridge Twp. is an area that leans Republican. This spring, Thompson will be challenged in the Republican primary by Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry.

So, Thompson — 87 years old and who the NJ Globe described as a "conservative" Republican — announced he will switch parties and seek re-election to a fifth term as a Democrat. Thompson was a Trump delegate twice, in 2016 and 2020.

NJ Globe reported that NJ Republicans leaders urged Henry to step down and retire, so Henry could run.

Thompson told NJ PBS in this interview last Friday — watch it below — that he "heard through the grapevine" he was going to be primaried by Owen.

"I told them, I'm here, I'm going again. I'll win again. That's it," said Thompson. "I've expressed some disappointment in some of these leaders out there who ah, I thought were my very good friends. They did not speak to me. I think ... the only thing I've heard is that some people are suggesting I am too old ... I am a full-time legislator, I'm in my office Monday -Friday, 52 weeks out of the year. I'm available nights and weekends. If I'm invited to a function, I go. Age is not what determines a person's ability. Assess the individual."

As recently as Friday, Thompson told NJ PBS "it is my anticipation" he'll once again back Trump for president in 2024.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that he welcomes Thompson into the New Jersey Democratic Party.

Thompson's interview with NJ PBS Friday, Feb. 10: