ILA International and New York-New Jersey District Council Endorse ILA Local 1588 Member Brother William B. Sampson IV in His Race for New Jersey’s 31st Assembly District
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (April 14, 2021). The International Longshoremen’s Association and its New York-New Jersey District Council are jointly endorsing ILA Local 1588 Crane Operator William B. Sampson, IV in his race for New Jersey State Assemblyman, representing the 31st District. Brother Sampson looks to shift careers from working as a crane and multi-machine operator at Bayonne Global Terminal to include representing Hudson County residents in Trenton. Last month, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis endorsed Sampson to run for the New Jersey State Assembly seat.
“We are proud to endorse our own William Sampson for the New Jersey State Assembly,” said ILA President Harold J. Daggett. “Who better to represent the hard-working men and women of Bayonne and Jersey City than a career ILA longshore crane operator.”
“I’m not a politician,” ILA’s Brother Sampson said in a recent interview with a New Jersey newspaper. “But I am a union leader, and I represent the union. I’m in the political game now.”
“All the ILA locals that comprise our ILA New York-New Jersey District Council are proud to endorse the candidacy of Brother William Sampson,” said Charles Ward, President of the NY-NJ ILA District Council. “We are assured to have a true fighter for working men and women in Trenton in Brother Sampson.”
William B. Sampson, a graduate of Bayonne High School and the recipient of an athletic scholarship to Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2013, Sampson joined the International Longshoreman’s Association Local 1588, where he is a crane and multi machine operator at Bayonne Global Container Terminal. At Local 1588, Sampson is the union’s political liaison, networking with City Hall and civic leaders. Sampson also currently holds the following positions on the board committees at his Local ILA 1588: the by-laws committee; election committee; representative of the Civil Rights committee. He also represents his union as the vice president for Hudson County’s chapter of the Asa Philip Randolph Institute, an organization of Black union workers that advocates for economic and racial justice. In Hudson County, his work with the organization focuses mostly on voter outreach and registration. Sampson has volunteered (representing the ILA Local 1588) with several charitable initiatives, including the Jersey City Boys and Girls Club; Mo Hair Foundations Men of Distinction; Monique’s Techniques annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner; toy drives, and donation programs.
Sampson is working to blaze a trail of excellence and legacy for his son, Nico Nazir Sampson.
“All ILA members of Local 1588 are excited and enthused to have one of their own running for the 31st Assembly seat in New Jersey,” said Virgilio Maldonado, President of ILA Local 1588. “He is a tribute to the ILA and will be a shining star for those he represents in Bayonne and Jersey City.”