Heidi H. Sampson

Heidi Hilgartner Sampson is an American politician and anti-vaccine activist. A member of the Republican Party, she served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 2016 to 2024, representing the 136th district from 2022 to 2024.

Sampson's prominence in the anti-vaccination movement in Maine began with her 2019 opposition toward legislation eliminating religious and philosophical exemptions to childhood vaccinations in the state. Sampson was active in a campaign for a failed people's veto of the legislation, and spoke at anti-vaccine rallies and events throughout the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sampson was a vocal opponent of public health measures taken to limit the spread of the pandemic in Maine, participating in rallies and demonstrations against business closures, gathering limits, mask wearing and vaccinations. Sampson has made comparisons of vaccine and mask mandates to Nazi atrocities during the Holocaust.