Senator Sam Slom was elected to the Hawaii State Senate in his first bid for public office in 1996, and has served the 9th District – spanning Hawai'i Kai, `Āina Haina, Kahala and Diamond Head – for 18 years. Since 2010, he has comprised the only single-member minority caucus of any state legislature in the United States. The lone Republican of the 25-member Hawaii State Senate, Slom serves as the Hawaii Senate Minority Leader, Floor Leader and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Technology. Slom also serves on 15 other Senate committees, plus a range of subcommittees, special committees, investigational committees and ad hoc committees. Slom's office maintains a wide open-door policy, ensuring a voice to both proponents and adversaries alike. Throughout his Senate tenure, and unlike any other Hawai'i legislator, Slom has famously refused to spend even a dime of his annual legislative allowance. He thus funds all office supply, travel and special event expenses from his own pocket. This amounts to $144,859 which Slom has returned to Hawaii taxpayers as of the 2015 legislative session. Senator Slom's professional experience includes Economist for Bank of Hawaii from 1968 to 1982; Economics Professor at Hawaii Pacific University from 1975 to 1984; President/Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii from 1983 to 2014, founded by iconic entrepreneur Lex Brodie; and owner of SMS Consultants from 1982 to the present. A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania and University of Hawaii alumnus, Slom received his law degree from LaSalle University Law School.
