Samuel Thompson

Keep an eye on the hotly contested race for Middletown Township Commission, since it is a precursor to the campaign for State Assembly in the 13th district next year.  If Democrats win the local race, they will be more inclined to fund challengers to Republican incumbents Samuel Thompson and Amy Handlin in 2009.  And if the GOP takes the Middletown race, state Democrats will be hesitant to fund a campaign in a district they haven't won since 1983. 

The Courier-News has endorsed Republican Frank Provenzano for re-election as Somerset County Sheriff. In the race for Hunterdon County Freeholder, they have endorsed Republican Freeholder George Melick for re-election and Democrat Sam Thompson for an open seat. READ

The Asbury Park Press has endorsed incumbents Amy Handlin and Samuel Thompson for the two 13th district Assembly seats.  READ

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani has picked up some more New Jersey endorsements, including Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, Assemblymen James Holzapfel and Samuel Thompson, Passaic County GOP Chairman Scott Rumana, Gloucester County GOP Chairwoman Loren Oglesby, and Republican State Committee Vice Chairwoman Lynda Pagliughi.

Monmouth County Freeholder Robert Clifton has decided not to challenge Assemblyman Samuel Thompson in the 2007 Republican primary, and Republicans say that the 71-year-old legislator appears to be in good shape to win re-nomination for a sixth term. Thompson is from Old Bridge in Middlesex County and there has been speculation that the Monmouth GOP might push him toward retirement.

In 2005, Thompson was the top vote-getter in a three way primary for the two 13th district Assemby seats. Amy Handlin, then a Monmouth County Freeholder, defeated longtime incumbent Joseph Azzolina by a 624 vote margin.

Democrats have still not decided if they will make a serious bid to unseat Thompson and Handlin next year. Former Assemblyman William Flynn is still mullling a run for the Legislature.

Freshman Assemblywoman Amy Handlin says she "knocked on doors in 105-degree heat begging for $5" in an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for public financing as part of the state's Clean Elections test program in 2005. But Handlin, who ran with the support of the powerful Monmouth County Republican organization, only collected 414 $5 contributions, as compared to more than 800 collected by two Camden County Republicans. Even Handlin's running mate, 70-year-old incumbent Samuel Thompson, who was not going door-to-door in 105-degree heat, received 492 contributions of $5.