East Brunswick Mayor Loses Senate Bid

Peter Barnes will replace Barbara Buono in the state Senate.

Barnes defeated David Stahl 24,957 to 23,102 in the race for the seat left vacant when Buono decided to pursue the governor’s seat, according to unofficial results posted by the Middlesex County Clerk's Office.

The East Brunswick mayor, Stahl left the Democratic Party to join the Republicans and launch his bid in March. In making the switch, Stahl described the Democratic party at the state and county level as unconcerned with local residents, and is "all that's wrong in politics today."

Barnes left the General Assembly to pursue the seat, leaving Democrat Patrick Diegnan as the only incumbent in a four-candidate race for two available seats.

Diegnan won re-election by capturing 24,904 votes, the most among those running. He will be joined by Democrat Nancy Pinkin, an East Brunswick Councilwoman who collected 24,094 votes. Republican Robert Benegivenga collected 21,451 votes, and running mate Lisa Goldhamer collected 20,513 votes.

Independent Sheila Angalet collected 1,051 votes.

The 18th District is comprised of East Brunswick, Edison, Helmetta, Highland Park, Metuchen, South Plainfield and South River.