Following the retirement announcement of veteran GOP incumbent Senator Kip Bateman, Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker announced the kick-off of his campaign to run for the State Senate in the 16th Legislative District today. The announcement by the Assemblyman portends a potential Democratic primary looming for the seat in the battleground district.

Zwicker, who has served in the NJ General Assembly since 2016 and is a physicist and science educator, released the following statement:

“Now, more than ever, we need to make decisions that are based on evidence and continue to create sensible, practical policies to improve the lives of all New Jerseyans.  During my time in the General Assembly, I have focused on protecting our environment, growing our economy, and guaranteeing every voter’s ability to participate in safe and fair elections. I have been laser-focused on advocating for my constituents and I hope to bring my expertise and experience to the State Senate to continue fighting for the people in my district and throughout our great State.”

The 16th Legislative Districts consists of towns within Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. Zwicker first gained attention in 2015 when he ousted an incumbent Republican member of the Assembly in a 78-vote victory to become the first Democrat elected in the history of the 16th Legislative District. In 2017, Zwicker was essential to the efforts to elect Democratic Assemblyman Roy Freiman of Somerset.

“Andrew Zwicker ran for assembly in LD16 over four years ago when no one saw the potential for success – the Party owes him a debt of gratitude,” said Chairwoman Arlene Perez (Chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee). “Not only did he win, but for over four years he has worked tirelessly to represent all of LD16. We look forward to working with Andrew as he completes the convention process.”

“While Mercer County has a candidate review process and not yet formally taken a position, Andrew certainly is regarded as a highly competent and outspoken advocate for the constituents of the 16th District, and would be a strong candidate,” said Chairperson, Mayor Janice Mironov (Chair of the Mercer County Democrats and Mayor of East Windsor). “From championing effective pro-environment policies to election reform in New Jersey, he has a solid record of service and proven his ability to address some of the most complex, pressing issues in the legislature with a thoughtful well-balanced approach.”

“Andrew Zwicker is the epitome of what a public servant should be: thoughtful, inclusive, proactive,” said Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Kevin P. McCabe. “A scientist who has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for our residents, his contributions to New Jersey have already made a difference for our state in the years he has served in the Legislature. From leading the way in making New Jersey more affordable for our families and small businesses, to fighting for a cleaner and greener environment, Andrew has epitomized how important it is to have a scientist in the Legislature. I am proud to endorse him for State Senate and look forward to working hard to ensure that he wins this November’s election. This is why local leaders have reached out to me to support Andrew’s candidacy for Senate. I look forward to hearing from Andrew and all other candidates running for the legislature at our county screening in March.”

“Assemblyman Zwicker has not only been a staunch advocate for the people of South Brunswick in Trenton but has been an invaluable member of our community here in South

Brunswick,” said Mayor Charlie Carley of South Brunswick. “Our communities, now more than ever, need leaders with experience in the state legislature who are as dedicated to moving sound policy as they are to the people they serve.”

“In 2015 we began our work laying the groundwork to bring Democratic representation to the 16th legislative district for the first time in history,” stated Khalid Anjum, Chairman of the South Brunswick Municipal Democratic Committee, “Assemblyman Zwicker broke through the Republican stranglehold on the district in 2015 for the Assembly. Now he is the best choice to be the first Democrat to represent the people of South Brunswick and the 16th in the New Jersey State Senate.”

Zwicker is currently the Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee, as well as a member of the Higher Education Committee, and the Regulated Professions Committee.  He serves on the Manufacturing Caucus and the Disability Caucus and was the Vice-Chair of the Biotechnology Task Force.  He is currently the Head of the Communications and Public Outreach Department at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory and has a Ph.D. in physics from Johns Hopkins University.