SOMERVILLE – Chest out, shoulders thrown back amid the din of bagpipes, Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher on Sunday led a Republican band of brothers up Main Street at the annual Somerville St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Mayor of Somerville since 2004, Gallagher this year wants a countywide seat, and has the backing of the Somerset County Republican Committee in his quest to be the replacement for retiring Freeholder Peter Palmer.

Gallagher joins a ticket that includes incumbent Freeholder Brian Levine, the former mayor of Franklin Twp.

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7), Somerset Clerk Brett Radi, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (a candidate for governor), and Freeholder Mark Caliguire all walked with Gallagher at a very well attended parade where many of the onlookers ended up packed into Mannion’s on the west side of town.

Caliguire is running for the assembly with running mate former Assemblywoman Donna Simon in the battleground 16th.