Sam Roberts holds an Associate's Degree from Onondaga Community College and a Bachelor of Science from Empire State College, complemented by a Certificate in Labor Studies from Cornell University. He spent three decades in the automotive industry, culminating in significant roles within the United Auto Workers, including serving as Recording Secretary for UAW Local 465 and Chair of Education and Civil Rights Committees for Local 854. Roberts also served five terms as an Onondaga County legislator, representing the 19th district from 1990 to 2000. His personal life includes a sixth-degree black belt in American Shotokan Karate, reflecting discipline and dedication.

Sam Roberts's political identity is shaped by a unique blend of labor advocacy and local governance, with a striking emphasis on civil rights and education. His long-standing commitment to workers' rights through the United Auto Workers and Onondaga County legislature underscores a deep-rooted dedication to labor relations. Roberts's leadership in civil rights and education committees within Local 854 reveals a calculated approach to social justice issues, balancing these commitments with his experience in local governance. This juxtaposition of labor advocacy with a focus on civil rights and education creates a compelling, albeit complex, political narrative.