Barnes Hopes to Face Stahl in Senate Race

If Mayor David Stahl receives the Republican party nomination to run for State Senate, one possible opponent could be Democratic Assemblyman Peter Barnes (NJ-18).

On Tuesday, Stahl announced his intent to switch to the Republican party and run for Senate. He will be seeking the seat left vacant by Sen. Barbara Buono's campaign to run for governor against Gov. Chris Christie.

Barnes said the Democrats are expected to make a decision about who will seek Sen. Buono’s seat on March 19 or 20, but he hopes to be the candidate.

“I’m not yet the nominee, but I hope to be,” he said. “If I am, I will focus on my record and my dedication and loyal to the 18th district.”

During his time in the assembly, Barnes has focused on financial issues, women’s health, the environment and more, he said, and he hopes voters will take that record into account.

“If I’m the nominee I’ll be running on my record and try to persuade others that I’m the best choice,” he said.

A former Township Councilman in Edison, Barnes was elected to the General Assembly in 2007 and has served as Whip since 2010. He is Chair of the Judiciary Committee, vice-char of the Appropriations Committee, and serves on the Environment and Solid Waste committee.

“I’m a lifelong Democrat and those principals that Democrats have held to are by and large the ones that I hold to,” he said.

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