The 2013 NJ State Senate election, close fought contest between assemblyman Peter Barnes and East Brunswick Mayor David Stahl for the seat of 2013 Dem Gubernatorial Nominee Barbara Buono was a close race between the party's pick for the senate seat and the mayor who switched parties to run for it.
Despite Christie Carying the seat by 17.7%, Stahl's organization, which made Assembly Republicans competitive in East Brunswick in 2013, was unable to overcome Barnes' advantage in his native Edison (plus Highland Park and Metuchen) — losing by a narrow 3.9% in this Middlesex centered seat, with a less strong GOP campaigns allowing incumbent Patrick Diegnan jr and East Brunswick Councilwoman Nancy Pinkin to hold these seats for the Dems