Sam L. Jenkins, Jr. is a Democratic State Senator representing Louisiana Senate District 39, which includes parts of Bossier and Caddo parishes, with offices in Shreveport. Elected to the Senate in November 2023 after defeating Cedric Glover, he previously served as a Louisiana House Representative for District 2 from 2016 to 2024 and as Democratic Leader during that period. Notable positions include Vice Chair of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, member of the Judiciary A, Natural Resources, and Senate and Governmental Affairs committees, and participation in the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay; he also belongs to the Democratic Caucus, Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Louisiana Rural Caucus, and North Louisiana Legislative Delegation. Key legislative efforts include introducing bills on school threat reporting , state employee leave policies , early voting expansions , and increasing tax-exempt retirement income in 2023, as well as supporting the repeal of the crime against nature by solicitation .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in Political Science from Southern University; J.D. from Southern University Law Center.
• Political Experience:
  • Louisiana House District 2 Representative , including role as Democratic Leader .
  • Elected Louisiana Senate District 39 , eligible through 2032-2036 term.
  • Attorney with a law practice in Shreveport .