Robert J. Thompson
| Robert J. Thompson | |
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| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 19th district |
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In office December 4, 1995 – January 28, 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Earl Baker |
| Succeeded by | Andy Dinniman |
| Member of the Chester County Board of Commissioners |
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In office January 7, 1980 – January 6, 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Strebl |
| Succeeded by | Irene Brooks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 30, 1937 West Chester, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 28, 2006 (aged 68) Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy B. |
| Children | 3 children |
| Residence | West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Penn State University |
| Occupation | Journalist, Politician |
Robert J. Thompson (November 30, 1937 – January 28, 2006) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate.
A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Thompson earned a degree in journalism from Penn State University in 1959. He then worked as a photographer for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, published in-house magazines for Electric Hose & Rubber Corp. in Wilmington and Lukens Steel Company, and Fidelity Bank. He was the founding director of the Chester County Chamber of Commerce.
Thompson served on the West Goshen Township Board of Supervisors from 1970 through 1976. In 1979, he was elected to the Chester County, Pennsylvania Board of Commissioners, a position he held until 1986.
He was first elected to represent the 19th senatorial district in the Pennsylvania Senate in a special election held on November 7, 1995. The special election was triggered by the August resignation of incumbent Republican Earl Baker, with whom Thompson had previously served on the Chester County Board of Commissioners. Thompson defeated Democrat Sara Nichols (along with Libertarian candidate Thomas McGrady, Jr.) by a relatively narrow margin. Thompson's margin of victory was considered stunningly narrow by many political observers.
After filing paperwork to challenge Thompson once again the following year, this time for a full term, Nichols withdrew from the race and moved out of the area. By virtue of her stunningly strong showing in the special election, many observers expected the rematch to be close, but Nichols' withdrawal and move was prompted by her husband's acceptance of a position in the Los Angeles area. Democrats selected Downingtown area native and inventory planner Thomas Bosak as Nichols' replacement on the ballot. Thompson went on to defeat Bosak handily.
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