Peter J. Barnes III
Peter J. Barnes III | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 18th Legislative District | |
| In office January 14, 2014 – April 25, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara Buono |
| Succeeded by | Patrick J. Diegnan |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 18th Legislative District | |
| In office March 15, 2007 – January 14, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Peter J. Barnes Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Pinkin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 26, 1956 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 22, 2021 (aged 64) New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Katie |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Gettysburg College (BA) Fairleigh Dickinson University (MBA) Widener University School of Law (JD) |
Peter J. Barnes III (April 26, 1956 – February 22, 2021) was an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey Senate, where he represented the 18th Legislative District until 2016, when he was appointed New Jersey Superior Court judge. He previously served in the General Assembly from 2007 to 2014. Barnes previously served on the Assembly Judiciary Committee (as Vice-Chair), the Appropriations Committee and the Environment and Solid Waste Committee.[1]
Biography
[edit]Barnes was born in San Francisco, California, but grew up primarily in Edison, New Jersey.[2] He attended the Edison Township Public Schools, having attended Menlo Park Elementary School, John Adams Junior High School and J. P. Stevens High School.[3] Barnes graduated in 1978 with a B.A. from Gettysburg College in political science, a Master of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in management in 1980, and was awarded a Juris Doctor by the Widener University School of Law in 1985.[1][4]
Barnes lived in Edison. He and his wife, Katie, had three children.[5] He served on the Edison, New Jersey Township Council from 1996 to 2007, and on the Township's Planning Board from 2001 to 2003.[1]
Barnes entered the New Jersey General Assembly in 2007, when he succeeded his father Peter J. Barnes Jr., who was nominated by Governor Jon Corzine to serve as chairman of the New Jersey State Parole Board.[6] On March 14, 2007, Barnes Jr. was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate and Barnes III, was chosen to fill his father's vacant seat.[7]
On November 5, 2013, he was elected to the State Senate, succeeding Barbara Buono who was running for Governor. In one of the closest Senate races in the state, Barnes defeated Democrat-turned-Republican East Brunswick mayor David Stahl by a 4% margin.[8] He was the only new Senator elected in the 2013 elections as incumbent Senators won in the other 39 districts.
Superior Court judge
[edit]In April 2016, Barnes was nominated by Governor Chris Christie and the New Jersey Senate voted 34–0 to give him approval to become a New Jersey Superior Court judge sitting at Middlesex County Courthouse.[9]
Death
[edit]Barnes died from cancer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick on February 22, 2021, at age 64.[2][5]
Tribute
[edit]On August 10, 2021, the Dismal Swamp, located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, was renamed as the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve.[10]
Election history
[edit] |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Peter Barnes | 25,063 | 51.9 | |
| Republican | David Stahl | 23,184 | 48.1 | |
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Assemblyman Barnes's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed February 20, 2008.
- ^ a b "Peter J. Barnes III". The Star-Ledger. Legacy.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ EDISON’S PETER BARNES III TAKES OATH AS NEWEST 18TH DISTRICT ASSEMBLYMAN Archived May 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, www.assemblydems.com, press release dated March 15, 2007. Accessed April 22, 2008.
- ^ Peter J. Barnes III - Edison councilmember profile Archived March 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Edison Township. Accessed April 6, 2007.
- ^ a b Russell, Suzanne (February 23, 2021). "Peter Barnes III, Superior Court judge and former state lawmaker, dies at 64". Courier News. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Vergel, Gina. Barnes to head parole board Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Home News Tribune by Gina Vergel, February 6, 2007
- ^ Assembly OKs online database of Legislature's votes Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Home News Tribune by Gregory J. Volpe, March 15, 2007
- ^ Friedman, Matt (November 6, 2013). "Peter Barnes wins Buono's N.J. Senate seat in Middlesex County". NJ Advance Media. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
- ^ Johnson, Brent. "N.J. Senate confirms colleague to become state judge", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 25, 2016. Accessed April 26, 2016. "The Senate voted 34-0 to give Peter Barnes III final approval to become a state Superior Court judge in Middlesex County — the county he has represented in the state Legislature for nearly a decade."
- ^ Johnson, Brent. "Dismal Swamp no more! Middlesex County nature preserve named after late Edison lawmaker, judge", August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Official List Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/05/2015 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. December 4, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
External links
[edit]- Barnes's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms
- Peter J. Barnes III, Project Vote Smart
- 1956 births
- 2021 deaths
- 21st-century American judges
- 21st-century American legislators
- Deaths from cancer in New Jersey
- Fairleigh Dickinson University alumni
- Gettysburg College alumni
- J. P. Stevens High School alumni
- Democratic Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly
- New Jersey city council members
- New Jersey state court judges
- Democratic Party New Jersey state senators
- People from Edison, New Jersey
- Politicians from Middlesex County, New Jersey
- Politicians from San Francisco
- Widener University Delaware Law School alumni
- 21st-century New Jersey politicians