Sam served as administrative assistant and legislative director to Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA) from 1990 - 2000 and, prior to that, was legislative director to Senator Brock Adams (D-WA). He served on the staff of Senator Dan Evans as legislative director from 1983 - 1988, and for Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA) from 1980 - 1983 where he was the Senator’s advisor on Appropriations Committee issues. For the first decade of his Senate career, Sam worked on the personal staff of Senator Warren Magnuson (D-WA) as a legislative assistant. He was promoted to work on the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee when Magnuson became chairman.

Sam was as an officer in the United States Marines from 1962 - 1965. He earned his law degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington in 1970 and his B.A. in economics from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.

Sam resides in Washington, DC with his wife of forty-one years, Peggy. The Spinas have two children and five grandchildren.