Jacqueline Thompson, the wife of State Sen. Samuel Thompson (D-Old Bridge), died today. She was 91.
She grew up in South Hampton, England, and married Senator Thompson in 1957.
In 1992, Thompson became the Republican candidate for Middlesex County Surrogate and came within two percentage points of defeating Democrat Kevin Hoagland. She lost by 6,159 votes, 51%-49%, but ran 4,701 votes ahead of President George H.W. Bush.
She had defeated Raymond Kopperwhats in the Republican primary; he had run to help Edison GOP Chairman James Sheldon create a line in support of his run for Congress in the 6th district. Sheldon finished fourth, losing to State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos by 44 points.
Her husband, who switched parties earlier this year, was serving as the Middlesex County Republican Chairman at the time.
Gov. Thomas Kean had appointed her to serve on the New Jersey Youth Correctional Facilities Board.
She had been the area manager for Avis Rent-A-Car.
“Jaqueline led a life of service to others as both a politically engaged citizen and mother of four,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “She leaves behind a tremendous legacy and will be missed.”
This story was updated at 3:42 PM with a comment from Murphy.