State Sen. Sam Thompson, who made waves recently after announcing that he would switch from the Republican Party to the Democrat Party to run for reelection, told the New Jersey Globe that he has had a change of heart and will retire.
At the time of his party switch announcement, Thompson said he had been “abandoned” by his Republican Party colleagues, who want the 87-year-old senator to retire, as they have a handpicked successor in place – Woodbridge Mayor Owen Henry.
“I have decided I’m not going to run for re-election,” Thompson told the New Jersey Globe. My priority should be my wife. She’s 91, and she’s had two falls in the last year and has trouble getting around. We are celebrating our 66th anniversary on Thursday. I owe her my full attention.”
Democrats, who had welcomed Thompson into their party and supported him as their candidate for another term as senator representing the 12th District, now have until March 27th to find his replacement.