Maintaining their alliance in the 18th Legislative District, Peter J. Barnes and Pat Diegnan today formally announced their plans.

Barnes will be heading the slate as the Democratic candidate for state Senate, replacing state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-18), who's running for governor. Diegnan will once again be running for state Assembly.

“Peter Barnes will make an outstanding state senator," said Diegnan. "He has already demonstrated his leadership in our district and in Trenton.  He has my total support. I am thrilled to be his running mate. I look forward to continue to work with Pete to advance our progressive Democratic agenda.”

Barnes said, “Patrick and I have always been a team. He has taken a leadership position on advancing a whole host of measures for middle-class working families.  In particular he is universally respected for his work as chairman of the Education Committee.  Patrick has earned the unanimous support of the Democratic committee.”

The Middlesex County Democratic Committee 18th District members will choose Barnes's successor at a convention to be held on March 19. A source close to the process says Councilman Robert Karabinchak from Edison has the edge.